Abstract: A variable valve timing mechanism for an internal combustion engine including at least one valve-actuating camshaft driven from a crankshft is described. The valve timing mechanism comprises a movable member which is arranged in use to be rotatable by the crankshaft and movable in translation relative to the camshaft in dependence upon an engine operating condition such as engine load or speed. The movable member is connected to the camshaft by an eccentric linkage such that movement of the movable member relative to the camshaft varies the angular position of the camshaft relative to the crank and also varies the rate of angular movement of the camshaft, thereby varying the valve timing.

Abstract: A gas cushioned free piston type engine comprises two oppositely arranged combustion cylinders and a pair of pistons reciprocably mounted therein, which are rigidly connected to each other by a common piston rod. The engine includes further a pump cylinder provided in a central part of the engine located between the two combustion cylinders, a pump piston having opposite faces impingeable by fluid, fixed to the piston rod and dividing the pump cylinder into a pair of pump cylinder chambers, a common suction chamber and a common pressure chamber, which, together with inlet valves and outlet valves, are arranged in the central part of the engine.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns apparatus for draining coolant from the liquid cooling system of a locomotive. The apparatus includes an automatic control which is armed upon shut-down of the engine and drains the cooling system upon the occurrence of freezing temperature conditions. The apparatus must be reset manually, and this requires two distinct manipulations, one of which effects override of the automatic control. Such override action is limited in duration to prevent inadvertent, prolonged disabling of the automatic control. The drain valve is a pilot operated, rotary plug valve. Preferably, the apparatus includes provisions for manually draining the cooling system, for effecting automatic draining by the combined effects of gravity and compressed air, and for providing visual indications of its operating state. Moreover, as far as practical, it is desirable to package the components in a unitary assembly which can be replaced easily and bench serviced and tested.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with a relatively small auxiliary combustion chamber opening into a main combustion chamber, a spark plug adapted to ignite a combustible mixture in the auxiliary combustion chamber, and a deflector means for causing the flame initiated in the auxiliary combustion chamber to fan out into the main combustion chamber.

Abstract: A positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) metering device is adapted to be interposed between and fluidically connected to a conventional PCV valve at one end thereof and to the engine intake manifold at the other end thereof. The device has an axial passageway extending therethrough for conducting the vapors from the crankcase to the intake manifold, and a plurality of orifices, defined within and about the periphery of the device, are fluidically connected to the axial passageway and to atmosphere so as to always supply a metered amount of atmospheric air to the passageway under all engine conditions, whereby the high differential pressure across the PCV valve will be substantially reduced so as not to draw an excessive amount of oil droplets or vapor from the crankcase.

Abstract: An exhaust pressure regulating system for use with an exhaust gas recirculating system of an internal combustion engine, and particularly for an automobile, utilizing a control valve of the butterfly or poppet type in the exhaust pipe for adjusting the back pressure in the exhaust, a vacuum-sensitive device for actuating the control valve, a pressure-signal passage for applying the pressure in the intake manifold to the vacuum-sensitive device and a pressure-comparing valve sensitive to the quantity of air being taken into the engine and the adjusted back pressure in the exhaust for modulating the pressure in the pressure-signal passage.

Abstract: An ignition timing controller for a gasoline engine on an automobile or the like. The apparatus comprises a thermo sensor actuated in response to variation in an engine cooling water temperature and a negative pressure delay valve. The thermo sensor has a first port connected to an advancer port opening to a carburetor and located near a throttle valve, a second port connected to an advance control port opening into the carburetor and located above the advancer port and a third port connected to a negative pressure chamber of a vacuum advancer. When the water temperature is at a predetermined value or lower, the first and third ports of the thermo sensor are connected with each other through the interior of the thermo sensor. When the water temperature becomes higher than the predetermined value, the first and second ports of the thermo sensor are connected with each other through the thermo sensor.

Abstract: A hydraulic valve lifter for an internal combustion engine of the type in which a liquid introduced into a confined chamber in the valve lifter is compressed by a plunger so that the pressure of the compressed liquid causes a valve of an intake or exhaust port of the engine to open, is characterized in that an internal mechanism which regulates the time for initiating the compression of the liquid in the confined chamber in response to the change in the running condition of the internal combustion engine is incorporated in the valve lifter for making the valve operating characteristics optimum for the varying running conditions of the engine.

Abstract: To provide for fine adjustment of the timing of operation of the ignition breaker switches, the breaker plate is connected by an adjustable link to a vacuum ignition control diaphragm, the link being a two-element unit, one element having a right-hand thread at the end and the other a left-hand thread, coupled by a coupling element rotatable in both said right and left-hand threads to shorten or lengthen the overall length of the link. The coupling element is externally accessible, for example by means of an additional transmission wheel or gear.

Abstract: A differential vacuum regulator having a housing provided with an inlet for being interconnected to a vacuum source and an outlet for being interconnected to a vacuum operated device, valve means being carried by the housing for interconnecting the inlet and the outlet together to provide a certain vacuum level at the outlet when the regulator senses a temperature below a certain temperature and for interconnecting the inlet and the outlet together to produce a different vacuum level at the outlet when the regulator is sensing the certain temperature.

Abstract: A piston for an internal combustion engine having a double tapered top land to provide controlled variation in the clearance about the head of the piston. The controlled variation in clearance about the piston head provides a sufficiently sized orifice which prevents the formation of hard carbon and improves oil control without greatly increasing pollutants.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising main and subsidiary combustion chambers interconnected by a connecting passage. A subsidiary chamber component providing therein the subsidiary combustion chamber is press-fitted into a recess formed in the cylinder head. The cylinder head and the component have a hole extending through their walls. A sleeve is fitted into the hole so as to prevent dislodging of the sleeve from the recess. A spark plug is inserted into the sleeve.

Abstract: A vehicle having a transmission with a power take-off employs a governor for regulating engine speed during use of the power take-off; vacuum responsive motor means operatively connected to the engine throttle serves to control the speed of the engine; the vacuum responsive motor is effectively operatively communicating through speed-responsive restruction means to a source of engine developed vacuum; additional valving means are provided as to also connect the vacuum motor directly by a separate path to the source of vacuum during certain engine operating conditions.

Abstract: Valve gear of preferably cam-over-rocker type for an internal combustion engine including a hydraulic lash adjustment means and in which the rocker is pivoted at one end on a stationary hydraulic adjuster. The lash adjuster operates from oil received under pressure from a gallery provided in the engine lubricant supply system. In the preferred practice, body of the adjuster is stationary with respect to the engine, and has a movable plunger with a one-way check valve for admitting and retaining oil in a chamber between the adjuster body and the plunger. A portion of the plunger extends beyond the body and has a rounded end for pivotally engaging the rocker arm with a reservoir in the plunger communicating with a one-way valve admitting oil to the chamber. An outlet metering means includes an aperture for controlling oil flow to the rocker. The plunger passage provides open communication between the pivot connection and the one-way check valve.

Abstract: An engine camshaft drive includes timing belt pulleys which are angularly adjustable on their respective camshafts to provide manual adjustment of the engine valve timing. The arrangement features combination securing and adjusting means in the form of a threaded stud having an eccentric body portion intermediate its ends that coacts with a radially elongated opening in its associated drive sprocket to provide angular adjustment of the sprocket on the camshaft, while the stud also provides means for securing the drive sprocket to the camshaft when the adjustment has been completed.

Abstract: A roller tappet includes a central valve lifter body having a bifurcated end. A roller is supported at the bifurcated end and adapted for engagement by the lobes of a cam shaft. The valve lifter body reciprocates within a cylindrical bore defined by a cast iron engine block. The roller tappet body is formed from a ductile iron material thereby decreasing side wall wear and substantially eliminating galling between the valve lifter body and the wall of the cast iron tappet bore.

Abstract: A vehicle-type thermostat having a housing provided with a valve seat that is controlled by a movable valve member which is interconnected to a temperature responsive device which is carried by the housing, the housing having a positioning arrangement thereon for rotationally orienting the housing in a vehicle engine cooling system whereby the structure of the thermostat can be disposed in a desired rotational position within the engine cooling system.

Abstract: An improved adjustable rotary position sensor assembly is disclosed which is adaptable for sensing the rotational position of a body being synchronously rotated by an engine crankshaft and producing spark timing signals for the engine in response to the rotational position of the body. A generally cylindrically shaped Hall sensor probe is mounted through a cylindrical bore in an engine block and positioned such that one end of the sensor probe will be adjacent to radially extending portions of the rotary body during the rotation of the body by the engine. The Hall probe is rotatably adjustable with respect to the central axis of its cylindrically shaped body. A slotted mounting flange is attached to one end of the Hall probe and together with a retaining screw provides for locking the probe into a fixed rotational position with respect to its central axis after it has been adjusted.

Abstract: A reciprocating member and a retainer cooperate to limit rotation of the reciprocating member in a bore. Grooves in the reciprocating member cooperate with corresponding portions of a retainer to guide the reciprocating member and limit rotation of the member in the bore due to the compressive engagement of a portion of the retainer by the bore.

Abstract: A support platform for mounting a rocker arm shaft in an internal combustion engine comprises an elongated base element which fits on the top surface of the cylinder head of the engine, support pads which are mounted to the base element intermediate its ends at spaced intervals, and end blocks which are attached to each longitudinal end of the base element. The rocker arm shaft is mounted in transverse bores which extend through the support pads and end blocks, and is attached to the support pads by bolts which pass through vertical bores in the support pads, the rocker arm shaft, and the base element into registry with threaded holes in the cylinder head. The end blocks engage the rocker arm shaft at each of its extremities, outwardly of the outward most rocker arm, for preventing deflection of the end portions of the rocker arm shaft upon loading of the rocker arms.