Abstract: A variable compression ratio (VCR) apparatus with dual eccentric links is mounted on an engine, receives combustion power of a fuel-air mixture from a piston to rotate a crank shaft and changes a compression ratio of the fuel-air mixture. The VCR apparatus may include a connecting rod having a large end portion formed at one end thereof, which is connected to the crank shaft to receive a torque of the engine, and a small end portion formed at the other end thereof, the small end portion having a coupling hole formed therein, a pair of eccentric links having one ends coupled to the coupling hole from both sides facing each other and integrally rotating, and an eccentric rod connected to the other ends of the eccentric links and rotating within a predetermined angle range. The eccentric rod may be a pair of eccentric rods.

Abstract: Hydrogen is produced from methanol and water under supercritical temperature and pressure conditions desirably without any catalyst. The hydrogen can be produced in situ on an internal combustion engine using a heat source such as the exhaust system of the internal combustion engine to achieve the supercritical temperature.

Abstract: A variable compression ratio apparatus may include a connecting rod having a small end portion having an eccentric bearing installation hole, a large end portion rotatably connected to the crank shaft, and a space portion formed in a longitudinal direction of the connecting rod and communicated with the eccentric bearing installation hole, a piston pin fixedly, an eccentric bearing rotatably engaged to the eccentric bearing installation hole and coupled to the piston pin through a pin installation hole of the eccentric bearing, wherein the piston pin may be offset from a center axis of the eccentric bearing, an eccentric link connected to the eccentric bearing, a variable link rotatably connected to the eccentric link, a control link rotatably connected to the variable link, and a control shaft provided in the control link to rotate the control link, wherein the eccentric link may be rotated within the space portion.

Abstract: A balancer shaft of an engine includes a pair of journal portions, a first stage balance weight and a second stage balance weight. The first stage balance weight is formed between the journal portions and eccentrically arranged with respect to an axis. The second stage balance weight is formed on a center part of the first stage balance weight in the axial direction and projects outward from the first stage balance weight in a radial direction. The balancer shaft has a recess portion on the opposite side of the eccentricity direction.

Abstract: A free piston linear alternator includes a cylinder having a pair of outer chambers, a pair of opposed pistons and a combustion chamber disposed between the opposed pistons. Each outer chamber is disposed between respective ones of the pistons and a respective outer end of the cylinder. The pistons are axially opposed from each other and independently generate electric current when each of the pistons linearly translate. Each of a pair of return members is disposed within a respective one of the outer chambers, and each of the return members is configured to return respective ones of the pistons to a respective first position from a respective second position after combustion.

Abstract: The disclosed invention includes a heat engine where combustion, expansion, and compression are independent, continuous, parallel cycles. The disclosed engine includes a crankcase situated between two axially-aligned, opposed cylinder blocks. Each opposed cylinder block contains zero-clearance cylinders. An oscillating two-headed piston separates each cylinder into expansion and compression chambers. A connecting rod connects the piston heads of opposed cylinder pairs, and articulates with a central, linear-throw, planetary crank mechanism. A single, rotary disk valve mates with each external expander face of the paired, opposed cylinder blocks to regulate expansion and exhaust functions. Controllable intake and outlet valves, integrated within each internal compressor face of the paired cylinder blocks, regulate intake, compression, and regenerative engine braking functions. A separate combustion chamber with heat regeneration capabilities and at least one compressed-air storage reservoir are included.

Abstract: In a two-stroke engine (1) according to the present invention, a piston (6) has a communication passage (28) opened to a crank chamber (10). An air intake port (30) is provided on an inner surface (2a) for causing air to flow into the communication passage (28). After a scavenging port (22) is closed by an outer surface (6a) of the piston (6) moving from the bottom dead center to the top dead center, the communication passage (28) is opened in the outer surface (6a) of the piston so as to communicate with the air intake port (30) and the scavenging port (22).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an engine block includes removing material from the top deck of the engine block surrounding a first opening to create a first recessed area, positioning a first insert within the first recessed area, removing material from the top deck of the engine block surrounding a second opening to create a second recessed area that at least partially overlaps the first recessed area, and positioning a second insert within the second recessed area.

Abstract: A motor oil heating system for a vehicle comprising one or more solar panels comprised of one or more photovoltaic cells; one or more heaters thermally coupled to the motor oil, wherein the solar panels are electrically coupled to the heaters and power the heaters based on a voltage generated by the solar panel such that the heaters warm the engine oil.

Abstract: A split-cycle air hybrid engine with improved efficiency is disclosed in which the centerline of a compression cylinder is positioned at a non-zero angle with respect to the centerline of an expansion cylinder such that the engine has a V-shaped configuration. In one embodiment, the centerlines of the respective cylinders intersect an axis parallel to, but offset from, the axis of rotation of the crankshaft. Modular crossover passages, crossover passage manifolds, and associated air reservoir valve assemblies and thermal regulation systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A balance shaft module of an engine, may include a crank sprocket driving gear for receiving a power of a crankshaft of the engine, a crank sprocket driven gear engaged with the crank sprocket driving gear and receiving a power of the crank sprocket driving gear, a first balance shaft arranged coaxially with the crank sprocket driven gear and having a first driving gear to receive a power from the crank sprocket driven gear, and a second balance shaft receiving a power through a second driven gear engaged with the first driving gear.

Abstract: An integrally cast four-stroke engine mono-block includes integrally cast cylinder block, cylinder head, and portion of a crankcase including crankcase outboard and inboard walls. At least parts of outer and inner bearing bosses are integrally cast with the cylinder block with the inner bearing boss integrally cast in the inboard wall. At least one cored out longitudinally extending open valve train chamber is disposed between the outboard wall and the cast cylinder block. An alternative embodiment of the integrally cast four-stroke engine mono-block includes at least parts of an outer bearing boss and/or an inner bearing boss integrally cast in the outboard and inboard walls respectively with the cast cylinder block. At least one cored out longitudinally extending open valve train chamber is disposed between the outboard wall and the cast cylinder block. Push tube passages or a belt drive passage may be in the valve train chamber.

Abstract: Crankcase ventilation filter arrangements and components therefore are described. Example arrangements are described. In one, a serviceable filter cartridge includes a check valve therein, for protection during vehicle rollover. Handle arrangements are also described. An example filter cartridge is described in which media, surrounding an open interior, is positioned between first and second, opposite, end pieces. A first end piece has a projection on an opposite side from the media, the projection including framework having an upper rail supported by spaced supports. Methods of use are described.

Abstract: A system for a flywheel assembly for use in conjunction with an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The flywheel assembly includes a flywheel in rotational association with a crankshaft of the internal combustion engine. The flywheel assembly further includes a cooling fan mounted over the flywheel, and capable of rotation therewith. The cooling fan and the flywheel are secured in a constant axial position relative to the crankshaft by virtue of a drive-cup and a retaining nut. Further, the flywheel includes a plurality of integrally formed, intersecting support ribs, for providing excellent dynamic stiffening (e.g., damping) capabilities to the flywheel assembly for substantially reducing and/or eliminating radiated noise.

Abstract: A fan cooling system and method are provided to control fan speed for cooling vehicle motor components while minimizing power consumption by the fan and reducing engine fuel consumption for an engine partially powering the fan. The fan cooling system raises engine coolant temperature of a vehicle in motion to derive a fan speed demand so that fan speed may be reduced. The fan cooling system selects a maximum fan speed demand from one or more fan speed demands to command fan speed based on various sensed inputs, including engine coolant temperatures. The fan cooling system also improves cooling efficiency by incorporating slipheat protection for the fan so as not to overdrive the fan for cooling.

Abstract: An oil pump housing of an internal combustion engine flanged to a crankshaft housing, which includes, but is not limited to an oil pump housing wall. The oil pump housing has an oil collecting tray in an upper region of the oil pump housing wall. An oil return channel is integrated in the oil pump housing. An oil return channel extends from an oil inlet opening in the oil collecting tray as far as an oil outlet opening in an area below an oil pan level.

Abstract: An intake tract is provided for combustion air of a vehicle. The intake tract includes, but is not limited to an intake opening and an intake channel. At the end of the intake channel a sound source is arranged, which is sound-dampened by a sound damping device in the intake channel. An air filter is arranged between part regions of the intake channel and downstream of the air filter an air mass sensor is provided in an intake channel section, wherein the intake channel section of the air mass sensor includes, but is not limited to the sound damping device.

Abstract: A lubrication apparatus for a four-stroke engine that prevents lubrication failure from occurring around the crankshaft and reliably prevents oil from remaining in a valve operating chamber includes: an intake part positioned below the level of an oil A in an oil reservoir even if the oil reservoir is tilted and the level of the oil A changes; an oil feeding passageway that sucks up the oil A from the intake part and supplies the oil A to the crank chamber; and an direct passageway that allows communication between a valve operating chamber and a crank chamber when a negative pressure is created in the crank chamber. Open end parts of the oil feeding passageway and the direct passageway which are open in the crank chamber are provided to open as the piston moves from a position near the top dead center to the top dead center.

Abstract: A lubrication system for a portable four-stroke engine includes an opening end of the breather passage is disposed at substantially a center of a valve-operating chamber, and the valve-operating chamber is formed by attaching a valve-operating chamber cover. An inner cover is attached to an inner surface of the valve-operating chamber cover so as to be provided along and in contact with the inner surface of the valve-operating chamber cover. A suction passage is formed as a gap between the circumferential edge of the top plate portion and the inner cover. Three or more suction tubes that are in communication with the suction passage are provided in the inner cover, each of the suction tubes having an opening end. At least one of the opening ends of the suction tubes is provided lower than the opening end of the breather passage in an attitude of the engine during use.

Abstract: A multi-link, adjustable-stroke type engine includes: a timing gear provided on and concentrically with a crankshaft; an eccentric gear provided on an eccentric shaft and meshing with the timing gear so that rotation of the timing gear is transmitted to the eccentric gear; a lubricating oil passage provided in a cylinder barrel for supplying lubricating oil to lower shaft end portions of the crankshaft and eccentric shaft; and an ejection section provided in the lubricating oil passage for ejecting lubricating oil toward a meshing engagement section between the timing gear and the eccentric gear.