Patents Examined by Katrina B. Harris
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Patent number: 6715459Abstract: An apparatus and method for filtering oil. The apparatus being an oil pan having an integrated oil filter unit, wherein part of the oil pan forms the bottom of the oil filter unit. The oil filter unit is fastened on the oil pan at least by means of a sealing component and one or more punch rivets. A method of fastening an oil filter unit on an oil pan, the method including introducing a seal and an adhesive between the oil filter means and the oil pan and joining the oil pan and the filter means, including the layer there between, by means of punch rivets.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2002Date of Patent: April 6, 2004Assignee: IBS Filtran Kunststoff/Mettallerzeugnisse GmbHInventors: Marco Rosendahl, Markus Beer
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Patent number: 6705263Abstract: In a handheld type four-cycle engine, a valve operation mechanism includes a camshaft rotatably supported in a cylinder head so as to open and close an intake valve and an exhaust valve and a timing transmission placed on one side outside an engine main body and providing association between a crankshaft and the camshaft, and a centrifugal clutch for power output is mounted on the crankshaft on the opposite side outside the engine main body. The timing transmission and the centrifugal clutch being positioned at the two ends of the crankshaft improves the weight balance, the centre of gravity of the engine can be made as close to the central part of the crankshaft as possible, which, together with the reduced weight, can enhance the operability of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Keita Ito, Koji Kasai, Takao Nishida, Yasuhiro Shimizu, Takeshi Maeda, Yasutake Ryu
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Patent number: 6701887Abstract: A method of influencing the mixture formation and charge movement in the cylinders of a piston internal combustion engine, having at least one gas intake valve and at least one gas outlet valve per cylinder. Each of the valves is provided with a fully variable, preferably electrimagnetic, valve drive and is controllable via an electronic control device that is configured such that within predetermined speed ranges and/or for predetermined load conditions, at least some of the gas intake valves and/or the gas outlet valves can be moved, respectively in dependence on the piston stroke, with a stroke course that is variable, relative to the opening and closing moments and/or the opening time, the opening width and/or the opening duration and/or the movement speed.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 9, 2004Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbHInventors: Wolfgang Salber, Thomas Esch
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Patent number: 6698390Abstract: A variable tuned telescoping resonator which militates against the emission of noise energy caused by intake air in a vehicle wherein the connector length and the volume of the resonator are varied as a function of engine speed simultaneously to provide attenuation of noise energy over a wide frequency range.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2003Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: John D. Kostun, David J. Moenssen, Lakhi N. Goenka, Christopher E. Shaw
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Patent number: 6698393Abstract: A crankshaft phase adjustment structure for performing work via a single window. A clutch and ACG are arranged on both right and left sides of a crankcase. On the side of the clutch of the crankshaft, a primary drive gear engaged with a primary driven gear of the clutch is fixed by a bolt. A window for performing work is open to a case cover in the vicinity of the bolt and is covered with a cap. The center line of the window for performing work is set off the axis of the bolt, the window for performing work is located in a position in which a head of the bolt and an alignment mark provided to the outside periphery of the side of the primary drive gear are simultaneously viewed. At the edge of the window for performing work a second alignment mark is provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Akifumi Nomura
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Patent number: 6694929Abstract: An electronic control unit for a combustion engine having a water coolant passageway in heat transfer adjacency to the unit and adapted to remove heat from the unit. An ECU for combustion engine, comprising: electrical input circuits, electrical control circuits, electrical fuel injection output drive circuits, electrical oil pump output drive circuits and electrical ignition circuits. An ECU is disclosed which is adapted to verify firing of the ignition coils of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2002Date of Patent: February 24, 2004Assignee: Bombardier Motor Corporation of AmericaInventors: Mark J. Skrzypchak, Michael J. French, Gregry M. Remmers, Scott A. Koerner, Philip J. Bylsma, Mike A. Tanner, Dale A. Wiegele
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Patent number: 6691668Abstract: Method and system of overriding a locomotive engine governor oil pressure sensor protective device, which involves closing a normally open solenoid valve which is placed between a locomotive engine and a governor oil pressure sensor, the solenoid valve being operably connected to an automatic shutdown and restart system, the closing of the valve maintaining the existing engine oil pressure on the governor oil pressure sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2002Date of Patent: February 17, 2004Assignee: ZTR Control SystemsInventor: Aldo F. Liberatore
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Patent number: 6684841Abstract: The invention relates to a device for improving the vacuum in an auxiliary device. The auxiliary device uses vacuum for one or more applications in a vehicle. The auxiliary device is connected to the inlet manifold of a vehicle via a duct having a one-way valve directing the flow from the auxiliary device to the inlet manifold. The device comprises a chamber having an inlet duct connected to said auxiliary device and an outlet duct. Each of said inlet and outlet ducts have a one-way valve. The chamber is separated from the inlet manifold via a flexible member.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Kenneth Ingemar Ekström
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Patent number: 6684845Abstract: An engine ladder frame with minimized noise and vibrations, improved stability of the oil filter, and reduced air in the oil flowing from the cylinder head to the oil pan. Inside an elongate rectangular outer block, three partitioning walls are formed equidistantly, so as to form four crank chambers. The crank chambers respectively have bottom faces which are not perforated or open but are completely closed. On the side parts of the bottom faces, there are respectively formed oil flow faces which gradually become deeper in the direction of the revolutions of the crankshaft. Among the oil flow faces, those of the first, second and third crank chambers have oil drain holes respectively at their ends. Thus the bottoms of the crank chambers are closed so as to close the space between the cylinder block and the oil pan, resulting in the reduction of the noise and vibrations.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Jae-Man Cho
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Patent number: 6684846Abstract: A crankshaft, and method for distributing lubricant along a crankshaft, are disclosed. The crankshaft includes a crank pin, a crank arm, a main segment, and a flange. The crank arm is coupled between the main segment and the crank pin and has an outer side. A channel extends from within the crank pin to the outer side. The flange has outer and inner edges, is positioned on the main segment so that the outer edge abuts the main segment, and is further positioned so the inner edge abuts the outer side of the crank arm. The flange has first and second grooves along the outer and inner edges of the flange, respectively, and the grooves form a passage extending from the channel to an exterior portion of the main segment, so that lubricant can flow between the exterior portion of the main segment and the channel via the passage.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Kohler Co.Inventor: Terrence M. Rotter
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Patent number: 6684828Abstract: In a variable compression ratio mechanism for an internal combustion engine employing an upper link, a lower link, and a control link, the lower link includes a crankpin bearing portion into which a crankpin is fitted, a first connecting-pin bearing portion into which a first connecting pin for the upper link is fitted, and a second connecting-pin bearing portion into which a second connecting pin for the control link is fitted. A central connecting portion is provided to connect an axial central portion of at least one of the first and second connecting-pin bearing portions to an axial central portion of the crankpin bearing portion. The central connecting portion has an axial length L1 shorter than each of an axial length L2 of the crankpin bearing portion, an axial length L3 of the first connecting-pin bearing portion, and an axial length L4 of the second connecting-pin bearing portion.Type: GrantFiled: April 5, 2002Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kenshi Ushijima, Shunichi Aoyama, Katsuya Moteki, Ryosuke Hiyoshi, Yoshiaki Tanaka
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Patent number: 6679228Abstract: An integrated air fuel module (10) for an internal combustion engine reduces or eliminates the escape of hydrocarbon evaporative emissions from the integrated air fuel module (10) system, sub systems and components. The integrated air fuel module (10) includes containment means (34), such as a valve (34) or carbon adsorber, that blocks the escape of evaporated hydrocarbon emissions from the air inlet (16) of an engine during engine off conditions. The module (10) provides a reduced number of potential external hydrocarbon leak and permeation paths to the surrounding atmosphere. Preferred geometries of the intake manifold (12) in the module (10) with the internal integration of other normally external systems, such as fuel injection (60) and positive crankcase ventilation (50) systems, accomplish the containment of evaporative emissions within or entering the air fuel module (10) between engine operating periods when the engine is shut down.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: January 20, 2004Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Keith Allen Confer, Thomas Wayne Newman, Charles Wilson Braun, Michael Roland Brosseau, Daniel Frederick Smith, Curtis David Lamb
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Patent number: 6675749Abstract: A marine drive has an open loop cooling system for cooling various engine components using water drawn from the body of water in which an associated watercraft is operating. A water inlet of the cooling system has a filter cover which includes a series of apertures through which water can flow. The apertures have a maximum cross-sectional width. After passing through the water inlet, cooling water is pressurized and directed to an engine coolant passage to cool engine components. A pilot water passage branches off of the engine coolant passage and delivers cooling water through peripheral engine components to cool the components. The pilot cooling water is discharged from the marine drive in a pilot water stream that is visible to the operator of the watercraft. No portion of the pilot water passage has a diameter that is less than the maximum dimension of the water inlet filter cover openings.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takayuki Osakabe
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Patent number: 6668766Abstract: An engine cooling system and method that will allow an engine water pump to be driven independently of the engine speed. The engine water pump is driven by the engine crankshaft, but includes an electronically controllable pump clutch between the water pump and the crankshaft. A control module electronically controls the engagement of the pump clutch based upon engine and vehicle operating conditions.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Keith E. Liederman, Matti K. Vint, Joseph V. Bejster, Davide F. Piccirilli
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Patent number: 6668782Abstract: A method and system of controlling a vacuum-driven actuator in a vehicle. The method includes determining an amount of vacuum available to actuate the actuator, determining whether the available vacuum is sufficient to actuate the actuator, actuating the actuator only when the available vacuum is sufficient, and preventing actuation of the actuator when the available vacuum is insufficient.Type: GrantFiled: April 26, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Robert Bosch CorporationInventors: Hansjoerg Bochum, Alois Moser, Gunter Mueller
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Patent number: 6668769Abstract: A high efficiency two stroke hybrid engine includes a piston engine driving a trochoidal rotor compressor which compresses air injected into a combustion chamber as the piston approaches top dead center into which fuel is also injected during each engine cycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Inventor: Henry P. Palazzolo
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Patent number: 6666176Abstract: A flow control valve is located in a coolant circuit that extends through an engine. The flow control valve is operated in accordance with a control mode selected from a full closing control mode, a full opening control mode, and a feedback control mode. When switching from one control mode to another, the flow control valve is controlled in accordance with a transitional control procedure selected from different types of transitional control procedures. The transitional control procedure to be performed is selected depending on which control modes are performed before and after the control mode switching and/or the current condition of the engine. Transitional controlling of the flow control valve is thus appropriately conducted.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2002Date of Patent: December 23, 2003Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Yoshikazu Shinpo, Shigetaka Yoshikawa, Isao Takagi, Daisuke Yamamoto, Hiromichi Murakami
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Patent number: 6659064Abstract: In order to create a compact four-cycle internal combustion engine with mixture lubrication comprising a cylinder which is closed on top by a cylinder head and which changes below into a crankcase, in the cylinder a piston moving up and down, in the cylinder head an intake port with an admission valve and an exhaust conduit with an exhaust valve, a carburetor for forming an oil-fuel-air mixture lubricating the engine, as well as means by which a mixture is transported within each engine cycle from the carburetor into the crank chamber closed by the crankcase and from the crank chamber into the intake port, engine which is constructed in a simple way and which is characterized by a good charging behavior, it is proposed that the carburetor is connected outside the crank chamber with the intake port.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Dolmar GmbHInventors: Rainer Massmann, Bernhard Auler, Wolf Burger, Eberhard Witzgall
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Patent number: 6659050Abstract: A valve assembly for controlling the amount of coolant exiting an engine is provided. The valve assembly includes a valve housing that is mounted to the engine and defines a passage that is in fluid communication with a coolant outlet in the engine. A motor in the valve housing drives a valve shaft that extends into the passage and on which a butterfly valve plate is mounted. The physical geometry of the inventive assembly is not significantly effected by changes in coolant temperature or coolant contamination and the integrates the valve member and actuator in a single assembly to improve packaging and material use and eliminates potential coolant leak points.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Dana CorporationInventors: Michael Creech, Reed K. Hauck, Phillip James Weis
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Patent number: 6655339Abstract: A system is disclosed for controlling engine vibration, noise, and temperature in a cab of a vehicle including a crankshaft rotated by and extending from an engine. A flywheel generator system is operatively mounted on the engine. The flywheel generator system is configured to actively dampen crankshaft vibrations and to generate electricity. The system also includes a temperature control unit electrically coupled to the flywheel generator system. The temperature control unit is configured to control the temperature in the vehicle cab.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2002Date of Patent: December 2, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventor: David Charles Orr