Patents Examined by Jason Benton
  • Patent number: 7360512
    Abstract: The present invention provides an intake port design that provides a low thermal inertia characteristic, thereby decoupling the surface temperature of the intake port walls from that of the coolant through use of an air gap formed between the intake port and the cylinder head. At idle and part-throttle, the intake port is at a higher surface temperature yielding better cold-start emissions, better mixture preparation, and less dense intake charge (“thermal throttling”) for better fuel economy. At wide-open-throttle, the intake port is at a lower surface temperature yielding better volumetric efficiency for improved torque and reduction in knocking tendency enabling higher compression ratio for improved fuel economy and performance. The intake port design of the present invention can be manufactured with a hydroform manufacturing process resulting in improved dimensional consistency and smooth surface finish. Additionally, the process eliminates some cylinder head machining processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Chrysler LLC
    Inventors: Thomas W. Asmus, Michael A. Bonne
  • Patent number: 7350482
    Abstract: A non-polluting engine that produces mechanical, rotary motion, and produces oxygen as a principle gaseous byproduct. The engine employs a fuel mixture that includes two components that together produce oxygen. The fuel mixture is introduced to a combustion chamber where it is heated to facilitate the rapid production of oxygen. The expansion of the oxygen within the combustion chamber is translated to rotary mechanical energy. The oxygen produced during the reaction is expelled from the combustion chamber and released into the atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Inventor: Juan Sanchez, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7350484
    Abstract: Device to feed cooling and lubricating fluid to cooling and lubricating nozzles for the pistons of an internal combustion engine, having at least one valve with an upstream channel and a downstream channel, said valve having a blocking element able to move in a compartment to block an opening of a seat. The valve responds to the pressure of the cooling fluid by opening when the upstream pressure is greater than a threshold pressure and closing when the upstream pressure is less than the threshold pressure. A means of calibrated leakage connects the upstream channel to the downstream channel in parallel with the zone of closure of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Bontaz Centre
    Inventors: Christophe Bontaz, Michael Bonvalot
  • Patent number: 7347176
    Abstract: A gasket (200) includes a metal substrate (202) that has a first opening (204) and a second opening (216) formed therein. A first sealing bead (208) substantially surrounds the first opening (204). A second sealing bead (220) substantially surrounds the second opening (216). A leak conduit (230) is formed in the metal substrate (202) in an area (228) between the first sealing bead (208) and the second sealing bead (220), such that a leak-flow (316) of a first fluid from the second opening (216) past the second sealing bead (220) is routed away from the first sealing bead (208).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Edgardo Y. Estacio
  • Patent number: 7334560
    Abstract: The accessory drive unit, mounted intermediate an engine and a transmission, provides mounts for a water pump, an alternator, a supercharger and a starter. The accessory drive unit includes a main planetary gear driving a supplemental gear which is rotatably interconnected to a bevel gear driving a supercharger shaft. A first pilot gear is rotatably coupled to the main gear and is coaxially mounted to a second pilot gear. A water pump gear is rotatably coupled to the second pilot gear. An alternator gear is rotatably coupled to the first pilot gear. A flywheel is mounted on the engine drive shaft and has a peripheral gear thereon. The starter has a geared drive shaft which is adapted to rotatably interlink with the peripheral gear on the flywheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Inventor: Tim T. Clark
  • Patent number: 7331315
    Abstract: A two-stroke internal combustion engine is provided with a fuel injector. The two-stroke internal combustion engine may have at least one transfer passage, an air channel, and a fuel injector. The transfer passage is between a crankcase and a combustion chamber of the engine. The air channel is in gaseous communication with a top portion of the transfer channel. The fuel injector is in gaseous communication with the air channel and injects fuel into the air channel. The two-stroke engine may be used on hand-held, lawn and garden equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Eastway Fair Company Limited
    Inventor: Nagesh S. Mavinahally
  • Patent number: 7328672
    Abstract: Radial impulse engine, pump, and compressor systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the invention, an engine includes a first end wall portion spaced apart from a second end wall portion to at least partially define a combustion chamber therebetween. In this embodiment, the engine further includes a plurality of movable wall portions disposed between the first and second end wall portions. Each movable wall portion includes a cylindrical surface extending at least partially between a distal edge portion and a pivot axis. Upon ignition in the combustion chamber, the distal edge portion of each movable wall portion slides across the cylindrical surface of the adjacent movable wall portion as the movable wall portions pivot outwardly in unison about their respective pivot axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Tendik Development, LLC
    Inventors: Timber Dick, Corban I. Tillemann-Dick, Levi M. Tillemann-Dick, Tomicah S. Tillemann-Dick
  • Patent number: 7328679
    Abstract: A valve guide structure is provided which can suppress deterioration of a valve guide even if radial stress is applied on an upper portion of a stem of a valve. The valve guide structure is such that the stem 2 of the valve 1 is supported by an inner peripheral surface of the valve guide 16 to restrict moving directions of the valve 1. A recess 18 is formed on an inner peripheral surface of the valve guide 16 and extends downwardly from an upper end of the valve guide 16 along the stem 2 of the valve 1 so as to provide a clearance between the valve guide 16 and the stem 2 of the valve 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Hino Motors, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiki Ihara, Shinya Nitta
  • Patent number: 7328681
    Abstract: A bearing has an inner race that has separable inner sections. The inner race has an inner male protrusion and an inner female receptacle, and each inner male protrusion is mated with one of the inner female receptacles to form a unitary inner race. The bearing further has an outer race that has separable outer sections. The outer race has an outer male protrusion and an outer female receptacle, and each outer male protrusion is mated with one of the outer female receptacles to form a unitary outer race. Further, the bearing has a plurality of rollers situated within a channel formed by engaging the inner race and the outer race.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: VRB, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Rodney Tidwell
  • Patent number: 7325538
    Abstract: An easily installed versatile trimmable fit-to-size vortex airflow generator for use in internal combustion engines to enhance fuel efficiency is provided. The multi-impeller vortex generator comprises a plurality of blades evenly spaced angularly on a central hub. The blades are a ready trimmed to size to fit within the air intake conduit of most, if not essentially all, known conventional internal combustion engines. The vortex generator is constructed, i.e., formed, of a non-rigid construction such as molded plastic that is readily inserted in engine air intake passages to enhance turbulence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Inventor: Darrell S Bean
  • Patent number: 7325517
    Abstract: Radial impulse engine, pump, and compressor systems are disclosed herein. In one embodiment of the invention, an engine includes a first end wall portion spaced apart from a second end wall portion to at least partially define a combustion chamber therebetween. In this embodiment, the engine further includes a plurality of movable wall portions disposed between the first and second end wall portions. Each movable wall portion includes a cylindrical surface extending at least partially between a distal edge portion and a pivot axis. Upon ignition in the combustion chamber, the distal edge portion of each movable wall portion slides across the cylindrical surface of the adjacent movable wall portion as the movable wall portions pivot outwardly in unison about their respective pivot axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Tendix Development, LLC
    Inventors: Timber Dick, Corban I. Tillemann-Dick, Levi M. Tillemann-Dick, Tomicah S. Tillemann-Dick
  • Patent number: 7322320
    Abstract: A cylinder block including a block with two parts, a cylinder liner portion defining an inner wall of a water jacket and a cylinder block body defining an outer wall of the water jacket. The water jacket, which extends around the cylinders, is defined between the cylinder liner portion and the cylinder block body. A cylinder connector includes rectangular partition walls arranged in the direction cylinder liners are aligned. Each partition wall partitions adjacent cylinder lines and extends vertically downward from the bottom of the cylinder connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Minoru Sugano
  • Patent number: 7322345
    Abstract: Disclosed is a stuck-open failure detection system for a gas-fuel injection valve adapted to inject or supply gas fuel into/to a combustion chamber of an engine, which comprises: a shutoff value interposed in a fuel supply passage fluidically connected to the gas-fuel injection valve, at a position upstream of the gas-fuel injection valve, and adapted to supply gas fuel to the gas-fuel injection valve in its open state; an open/close controller for controllably opening and closing the shutoff value; a pressure detector for detecting a pressure in a region of the fuel supply passage between the gas-fuel injection valve and the shutoff value; and a stuck-open failure detector for detecting a stuck-open failure that the gas-fuel injection valve is stuck in the open state, based on a pressure change detected by the pressure detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoaki Saito, Hiroyasu Uchida, Yasushi Fujikawa
  • Patent number: 7320297
    Abstract: There is provided an internal combustion engine that uses a blended fuel consisting of hydrocarbon and alcohol, and can efficiently operate relative to a wide range of required load. The internal combustion engine includes: intake ports 4a and 4b and two injectors 5a and 5b. The injectors include a first injector 5a that injects a hydrocarbon fuel and a second injector 5b that injects an alcohol fuel. An optimum combustion mode is selected according to an operation state, and the ratio of the alcohol is properly adjusted according to the combustion mode. The intake ports includes a first intake port 4a that guides the hydrocarbon fuel to an inner peripheral portion of a combustion chamber, and a second intake port 4c that guides the alcohol fuel to an outer peripheral portion of the combustion chamber to control octane number distribution in a cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Kamio, Yukihiko Kiyohiro, Takashi Bannai
  • Patent number: 7318395
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine having a coolant circuit which comprises a first coolant line for the cylinder block and a second coolant line for the cylinder head of the engine, with the cylinder head having at least one inlet valve and at least one outlet valve per cylinder, an additional coolant duct provided in the cylinder head in close proximity to the valves is connected to the second coolant line for directly supplying coolant to the area of the cylinder outlet valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2008
    Assignee: Daimler Chrysler AG
    Inventors: Jurgen Huter, Bernhard Jutz, Johannes Leweux, Harald Pfeffinger, Heiko Sass, Timo Schmidt, Karsten Unger
  • Patent number: 7316221
    Abstract: A valve system of a V-type engine in which a camshaft provided in each bank is formed with valve cams that open and close engine valves and a pump cam for driving a fuel pump, the phase of the pump cam relative to the valve cams is set such that the crank angle at which driving torque of the pump cam is maximized does not coincide with the crank angle at which driving torque of each of the valve cams is maximized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshio Imamura
  • Patent number: 7314025
    Abstract: A combustion tool has a housing with an air intake end and an opposite bumper end, a combustion-powered power source in the housing including a cylinder encircling a reciprocating piston associated with a driver blade, and having at least one air port located at the bumper end below the piston. At least one air intake is located adjacent the air intake end and is provided with an air filter. At least one air passageway is provided in fluid communication with the at least one air port and in operational relationship with the air filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Yury Shkolnikov, Walter J. Taylor
  • Patent number: 7311066
    Abstract: An exhaust manifold cooling jacket has internal passages for the circulation of liquid coolant and encloses an exhaust manifold such that a gap is created between the exhaust manifold and cooling jacket. Flowing coolant through the jacket regulates outer jacket temperature while enabling high intra-manifold exhaust gas temperatures for thorough intra-manifold combustion and improved emissions. A liquid-cooled exhaust system includes a turbocharger disposed between manifold and elbow, with liquid coolant flowing from manifold to elbow through the turbocharger. Another liquid-cooled exhaust manifold contains an internal exhaust combustion catalyst wrapped in an insulating blanket. In some marine applications, seawater or fresh water coolant is discharged into the exhaust gas stream at an attached exhaust elbow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: WBIP, LLC
    Inventor: John H. Westerbeke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7305962
    Abstract: An engine cover mounting structure comprising an engine member and an engine cover, wherein a plurality of portions to be fixed to which fixing portions provided on the engine cover are mounted are provided so as to be situated below an upper surface of a cylinder head cover of the engine member. In addition, a positioning portion is provided on the engine cover. Then, in a state where a base fixing portion is mounted or temporarily mounted to a base portion to be fixed, while the other fixing portions are not mounted to the other portions to be fixed, when the engine cover revolves about the base fixing portion, so that the positioning portion is brought into abutment with a surface of the engine member, the fixing portions other than the base fixing portion are disposed at positions facing the portions to be fixed, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Nonogaki, Itsuro Maeda, Yutaka Ogasawara, Tatsuo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7305940
    Abstract: In the combustion-type power tool, a first shelter wall and a second shelter wall are disposed to partially surround an area between an ignition plug and an ignition ground. Two gaps are provided between the first and second shelter walls. The first shelter wall extends radially outwardly from an outer peripheral surface of a motor boss, and also protrudes from an end face in an axial direction of a fan shaft. The first shelter wall has a lower end surface inclined such that an axial length between the end face and the lower end surface is gradually reduced toward radially outer end of the first shelter wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi Koki Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomomasa Nishikawa, Yasuki Ohmori, Shinki Ohtsu, Kunio Yamamoto, Yoshitaka Akiba, Haruhisa Fujisawa