Patents Examined by Henry C. Yuen
  • Patent number: 7028656
    Abstract: A start control apparatus for an internal combustion engine according to the present invention is characterized by that in a port injection type internal combustion engine, fuel is supplied in the interior of a cylinder that is in its compression stroke or expansion stroke upon stoppage of the internal combustion engine, and upon the next start of the internal combustion engine, the fuel in the interior of the aforementioned cylinder is burned to rotate the engine output shaft utilizing the pressure generated when the fuel is burned. Thus, the torque required for cranking the internal combustion engine is reduced and the load applied on a starter apparatus such as a starter motor is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kimitoshi Tsuji, Yasushi Kusaka, Kenji Kataoka, Toshiaki Asada, Shinichi Mitani
  • Patent number: 7028648
    Abstract: A multicylinder internal combustion engine is provided with a plurality of cylinders sharing a single crankshaft. The combustion characteristics in the respective cylinders is improved by taking out part of combustion (expansion) gas produced in one of the cylinders at an earlier stage of the explosion (expansion) stroke, and then introducing the gas into another one of the cylinders in the suction or compression stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Daihatsu Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kunio Hasegawa, Eiji Mishima, Toshihiro Imanishi, Kazunori Nishikawa, Takeshi Serizawa, Yoshiki Morinaga
  • Patent number: 7025032
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an oil system for supplying and controlling oil flow in an internal combustion engine having a variable camshaft timing (VCT) device, comprising a pressurized oil supply providing lubricating oil to the engine and the variable cam timing device and an oil circuit connecting the oil pump with the VCT and a main oil gallery of the engine via a valve apparatus. The valve apparatus responds to oil pressure near the outlet of the oil pump so that oil flows to the main oil gallery when oil pressure is above a predetermined pressure. When the VCT requests oil flow, oil pressure in the system drops. If the pressure drops below the predetermined pressure, the valve apparatus causes a reduction in flow to the main gallery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Eva Barber, Chip Hartinger, John Edmund Brune
  • Patent number: 7025033
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for controlling a drive unit (1) including an internal combustion engine (5). The method and arrangement function to provide a switchoff of the engine (5) with less vibration. In the internal combustion engine (5), the air or a mixture of air and fuel is compressed in a combustion chamber (10) while utilizing a compressing device (15) and especially a piston. A supply of fuel is reduced with a switchoff of the engine (5). When switching off the engine (5), a relief of load of the compressing device (15) is initiated in addition to the reduction of the metering of fuel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2006
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Volkmar Foelsche
  • Patent number: 7021269
    Abstract: A lower link of a double link type piston crank mechanism comprises a crank pin bearing housing portion that is adapted to receive a crank pin of a crankshaft and defines a first contour, an upper pin receiving bore portion that is adapted to receive an upper pin of an upper link and defines a second contour, a control pin receiving bore portion that is adapted to receive a control pin of a control link and defines a third contour, and a given portion that has therein an internally threaded bore formed in one of upper and lower half-parts of the lower link and a bored portion formed in the other of the upper and lower half-parts of the lower link, the given portion defining a fourth contour. The upper and lower half-parts are coupled by a bolt that passes through the bored portion and is engaged with the internally threaded bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Takahashi, Kenshi Ushijima, Katsuya Moteki
  • Patent number: 7021252
    Abstract: A piston channel is provided for a piston of an air scavenging internal combustion engine. The channel extends radially inward partially around a circumference of a piston body. An edge wall of the channel is sloped towards a wrist pin aperture in the piston to improve purging efficiency of a transfer duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul A. Warfel, Rodney W. Tynes
  • Patent number: 7021266
    Abstract: An engine lubrication system having a lubricating oil pump that is rotationally driven by a crankshaft to send under pressure a lubricating oil to a part needing to be lubricated. The lubricating oil pump is connected to an end of a crankshaft such that a pump shaft aligns with the crankshaft substantially coaxially. An in-pump oil supply passageway is formed in the lubricating oil pump to pass therethrough from a side opposite the crankshaft to a side of the crankshaft. The in-pump oil supply passageway communicates at one end with an in-crankshaft oil supply passageway formed in the crankshaft for supplying a lubricating oil to a part of the crankshaft and at the other end with a discharge port of the lubricating oil pump via a lubricating oil passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoji Utsumi, Masahiro Ito
  • Patent number: 7021250
    Abstract: A precision cooling system directs the flow of coolant to optimize coolant flow around the cylinders of an internal combustion engine. This results in lower temperatures in the upper portion of the cylinders, more uniform temperatures throughout the engine, and a lower average temperature. The precision cooling system is integrated into the construction of the water jacket distributing coolant throughout the engine and particularly around the combustion cylinders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler Corporation
    Inventors: Liviu Marinica, Christopher Barron, Traian Bajeu
  • Patent number: 7021272
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine and its method of operation including at least one embodiment operating on a six-stroke cycle and including at least one piston and cylinder assembly. The six-stroke cycle includes two power strokes, the latter of which is the result of a water to steam conversion process utilizing the heat of the exhaust gas from the first power stroke. A second embodiment comprises a hybrid power generating assembly incorporating alternative, first and second power sources respectively comprising an internal combustion engine and a water injection engine, the latter of which operates on the water to steam conversion process, wherein the required heat therefore is derived from the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine. The second power source drives a source of electric energy which powers an electric motor, wherein the electric motor and the internal combustion engine are both connected in driving relation to a power take-off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Inventor: Satnarine Singh
  • Patent number: 7021267
    Abstract: A multi-cylinder internal combustion engine draws oil from an oil reservoir with an oil pump, and supplies oil to individual areas of the engine, after passing the oil through an oil filter and an oil cooler. A filter case containing an element of the oil filter is mounted to a side surface of the engine to facilitate the removal and replacement of the case. The oil cooler and a balancer are each respectively mounted to a front central portion of the internal combustion engine to enable oil cooling by an air-cooling effect of a running airflow, and to balance weight in the left-right direction of the internal combustion engine. Oil discharged from the oil cooler is introduced to a substantially central portion of the main gallery, to achieve uniformity of oil pressure supplied to individual bearing portions and uniformity of cooling of the individual bearing portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Kawakubo, Toru Gunji, Hiromi Sumi
  • Patent number: 7021254
    Abstract: A variable compression ratio engine includes a control actuator which has a simple structure, seals well internally, and provides high reliability. In the variable compression ratio engine, a connecting rod is divided into at least two portions. A control rod is operatively connected to a juncture of the connecting rod. A support shaft position of the control rod is displaced. The control rod is operatively connected to a right cylinder rod of a piston-type double-acting hydraulic control cylinder. A piston section of the hydraulic control cylinder is configured to selectively move in accordance with displacement of the support shaft position of the control rod. A channel is used to connect two hydraulic chambers divided by the piston section. The channel is configured to selectively control the flow of hydraulic fluid from the right hydraulic chamber to the left hydraulic chamber, and vice versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koji Shiraishi, Junya Watanabe, Ranju Imao, Takashi Tsutsumizaki
  • Patent number: 7021251
    Abstract: A combustion type power tool capable of avoiding damage to seal members and a housing to prolong a service life, and capable of enhancing operability and workability. Temperature elevation of a combustion chamber frame due to combustion of a mixture of combustible gas and air is detected by a temperature sensor disposed in a housing. If the detected temperature exceeds a preset temperature, ignition of an ignition plug is prohibited by a prohibiting unit in spite of ON operation of a trigger switch. In this state, alarming is performed by a display to notify the user of the inoperable state of the tool. Similar control can be made when the temperature sensor is disposed at a cylinder, an exhaust cover and the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuki Ohmori, Yasuo Sasaki, Haruhisa Fujisawa
  • Patent number: 7021265
    Abstract: A unit carrier for secondary units of a motor vehicle internal combustion engine, having secondary unit attachment devices and engine block attachment devices. The unit carrier has a planned deformation point, which allows a relative displacement between the secondary unit and the engine block in case of a vehicle collision, if a predefined force is exceeded. The unit carrier is used in motor vehicles having a front engine arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: DaimlerChrysler AG
    Inventors: Johannes Leweux, Jürgen Schäfer, Hubert Schnüpke, Dietmar Schröer, Nico Siebert, Karsten Unger
  • Patent number: 7017533
    Abstract: An internal combustion reciprocation engine conjoined and integrated with a supplementary piston mechanism. The supplementary piston mechanism serves as a storage and return volume for fresh gases to be ignited during the power stroke. Thus, erasing the need for a combustion chamber at top dead center. The storage occurs during the intake or compression stroke through a small volume gaseous communication conduit to the top of supplementary piston mechanism. And is returned to the top of the main power piston during the power stroke through the same small volume gaseous communication conduit. Ignition in the power stroke occurs as the supplementary piston mechanism working in supplementation with the main power piston achieves the proper compression ratio. The high combustion pressure provided by the ignition is then transfered to the the crankshaft through the connecting rod with greater advantage late in the power stroke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Roy Oliver Hamey
  • Patent number: 7017560
    Abstract: The invention is related to a method and a device for recirculation of a part of exhaust gases from an exhaust pipe (6, 9) of a diesel engine (1) to the inlet of the engine, the exhaust gases being diverted from the exhaust pipe (6, 9) and directed through a recirculation conduit (10) to a controllable valve device (12) arranged between the engine and the air intake (2) thereof for allowing supply of air/recirculated exhaust gases in a desired relation to the combustion chamber of the engine (1). The invention also relates to a particular valve having two controllable inlets, said valve being useful in the method or device according to the invention, and a regulation method and device for regulating the air/fuel relation of a diesel engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: STT Emtec AB
    Inventors: Ingemar Eriksson, Micael Blomquist
  • Patent number: 7017536
    Abstract: An engine has a crankshaft. A power piston is slidably received within a first cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the power piston reciprocates through a power stroke and an exhaust stroke. A compression piston is slidably received within a second cylinder and operatively connected to the crankshaft such that the compression piston reciprocates through an intake stroke and a compression stroke. A gas passage interconnects the first and second cylinders. The gas passage includes an inlet valve and an outlet valve defining a pressure chamber therebetween. Combustion is initiated in the first cylinder between 5 degrees and 40 degrees of rotation of the crankshaft after the power piston has reached its top dead center position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Carmelo J. Scuderi
  • Patent number: 7017532
    Abstract: An engine for a personal watercraft uses an open-looped cooling system and comprises a cylinder block having a water jacket within which cooling water flows, and a piston that reciprocates within the cylinder block, and a dimension of the water jacket in a reciprocation direction of the piston is equal to or less than a half of a reciprocation distance of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Atsufumi Ozaki, Yasuo Okada, Hideaki Ebisui
  • Patent number: 7017556
    Abstract: An engine startup fuel control system for use with a four-cycle internal combustion engine of the type having a plurality of combustion chambers, an air intake passageway, a source of fuel, a crankshaft and a camshaft which operates the engine cylinder valves. A multipoint fuel injector is associated with each combustion chamber and each multipoint fuel injector has an inlet connected to the fuel source and an outlet connected to the air intake passageway adjacent its associated combustion chamber. A crankshaft position sensor generates an output signal representative of the angular position of the crankshaft while, similarly, a camshaft position sensor generates an output signal representative of the angular position of the camshaft. An engine control unit is programmed to determine the synchronization of the engine in response to the output signals from the crankshaft position sensor and camshaft position sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Jonathan Borg, Shigeru Oho, Frank Warren Hunt, Ayumu Miyajima
  • Patent number: 7017534
    Abstract: A piston-cam engine includes a drive cylinder, a drive piston operably disposed therein having a piston head and a shaft, a support frame having a drive shaft rotatably movably connected thereto, a cam having a peripheral surface and having a plurality of lobes thereon, a roller member connected to the piston shaft and adapted for engagement with the peripheral surface of the cam, and a biasing element for biasing the roller member continuously against the peripheral surface of the cam. A support drive plate interconnects the piston shaft and the roller member and one or more slave cylinder(s) is provided adjacent the drive cylinder and has a slave piston operably disposed therein and has a piston head and a shaft, wherein the slave piston shaft is connected to the support drive plate to absorb part of a force exerted on the support plate during operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Inventor: Ray O. Chaney
  • Patent number: 7013850
    Abstract: A two-stroke engine has a cylinder defining a combustion chamber which is delimited by an upwardly and downwardly moving piston which drives a crankshaft via a connecting rod. The crankshaft is rotatably journalled in the crankcase (4). The two-stroke engine includes an inlet for fuel and an outlet for exhaust gases. At pregiven piston positions, the combustion chamber is connected to the crankcase via a piston window and at least one transfer channel. The transfer channels open via transfer windows into the combustion chamber and open with the transfer opening into the crankcase. The transfer opening and transfer windows open into a region at the cylinder bore which is passed over by the piston. To obtain a delayed inflow of the air/fuel mixture from the crankcase, the transfer opening is not yet fully closed for a piston moved toward the crankcase when the transfer windows begin to open.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2006
    Assignee: Andreas Stihl AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Antonio Fattorusso