Patents Examined by Noah Kamen
  • Engine with cylinder head cooling
    Patent number: 8584628
    Abstract: A cylinder head for an engine is provided. The cylinder head may include an upper cooling jacket including at least a first inlet and a first outlet and a lower cooling jacket including at least a second inlet and a second outlet. The cylinder head may further include a first set of crossover coolant passages including one or more crossover coolant passages fluidly coupled to the upper cooling jacket and the lower cooling jacket and adjacent to one or more combustion chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Todd Jay Brewer, John Christopher Riegger, Dennis G. Barbier, Jeff D. Fluharty, Jody Michael Slike
  • Chain case structure for engine
    Patent number: 8584646
    Abstract: A chain case structure of an engine, wherein, when a chain case is viewed in the crankshaft direction, both side portions of a mount bracket unit in the width direction extend to the left edge portion or the right edge portion of the chain case and the upper edge portion of the chain case, and a fastening portion to an engine main body is provided on the lower portion of the mount bracket portion. A cylinder portion of a hydraulic control valve of a variable valve mechanism is disposed below the fastening portion while the outer peripheral surface of the cylinder portion is mutually coupled to the mount bracket portion. Reinforcement ribs extend downward from the bottom of the mount bracket, across the cylinder portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Kensuke Takeuchi, Junji Kuroda
  • Engine control system for increased vehicle fuel economy
    Patent number: 8584647
    Abstract: An engine control system comprises a driver input module, a cylinder actuation module, and an active fuel management (AFM) module. The driver input module generates a fuel saver mode (FSM) signal having a first state based upon a driver input. The cylinder actuation module selectively disables at least one of a plurality of cylinders of an engine based upon a deactivation signal having a first state. The AFM module generates the deactivation signal based on at least one engine parameter and at least one threshold. The at least one threshold is modified when the FSM signal has the first state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventors: Colin A. Roberts, Richard H. Clutz, Robert Paul Black, Kevin J. Storch, Alfred E. Spitza, Jr., Richard L. Tiberg, William S. Beggs, Bala K. Murthy, Terrence E. Connolly, Mike M. McDonald, William C. Albertson, Eric S. Kaufman
  • Piston for an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 8584626
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston (10, 110, 210) for an internal combustion engine, comprising a piston crown (13), a circumferential ring part (16), a circumferential cooling channel (27) arranged in the vicinity of the ring part (16), boss supports (21) connected below the piston crown (13), piston bosses (18) connected thereto, and a piston skirt (17). According to the invention, a cavity (28) closed on all sides and having a closure element (29, 129, 229) arranged in the direction of the piston skirt (17) is provided below the piston crown (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: MAHLE International GmbH
    Inventor: Detlef Jacobi
  • Liquid-cooled internal combustion
    Patent number: 8584627
    Abstract: A liquid-cooled internal combustion engine which includes a cylinder housing for at least one cylinder and at least one cylinder head, with the at least one cylinder in the cylinder housing being enclosed by a cooling jacket and with a bottom partial cooling chamber adjacent to a fire deck and an upper partial cooling chamber which is flow-connected with the same via at least one transfer opening being arranged in the cylinder head which is connected with the cylinder housing, with a coolant outlet which can be connected with a pressure sink originating from the bottom partial cooling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: AVL List GmbH
    Inventors: Robert Poeschl, Andreas Ennemoser, Manfred Breitenberger
  • Engine having variation volume crank case
    Patent number: 8578905
    Abstract: An engine having a crank case of a variable volume may include a crankshaft that may be disposed in a crank case and may be connected to a piston through a connecting rod, which reciprocate in a cylinder, a balance shaft that may be disposed in the crank case and may be operated by the crankshaft, a chamber that may be extended from the crank case, and a balance weight that may be formed on the balance shaft and selectively opens or closes a fluid communication between the chamber and the crank case according to a position of the piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Suc Tae Kim
  • Two-stroke engine with low consumption and low emissions
    Patent number: 8578895
    Abstract: Two-stroke engine (10) including an engine cylinder (18), a piston (20) sliding in the engine cylinder (18), an air pump (9), a main pipe (32) connected to the air pump (9) that communicates with the engine cylinder (18) through a plurality of scavenging pipes (28) opening into the cylinder immediately above the piston (20) in its bottom dead center position, an exhaust pipe also opening into the cylinder (18) immediately above the piston (20) in its bottom dead center position, an auxiliary pipe (29) branching from the main pipe (32) and opening into the cylinder (18) at a level higher than the scavenging pipes (28) and exhaust pipes (33), and a valve (30) capable of selectively opening and closing the auxiliary pipe (29) and configured to supercharge and decompress the cylinder (18) during the engine start-up phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Primavis S.R.L.
    Inventor: Piero Baldini
  • Reciprocating combustion engine
    Patent number: 8578894
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are described for a reciprocating combustion engine. A method includes operating a dual-piston engine including introducing a gas into a pair of combustion chambers; introducing a fuel into the pair of combustion chambers; compressing the gas; combusting the gas and the fuel; and exhausting combusted gases. Each of the pistons drives a reciprocating crankshaft that protrudes through a cylinder wall and cooperatively rotate a pair of rotors by engaging substantially sinusoidal cam tracks on the rotors. An apparatus includes a cam driven, concentric drive rotary-valve dual-piston engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: McVan Aerospace, LLC
    Inventors: Ray McKaig, Brian Donovan
  • Internal combustion engine with variable flow rate oil pump apparatus, and motorcycle incorporating same
    Patent number: 8578907
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft, a variable flow rate oil pump apparatus including oil pumps having a drive shaft thereof operatively connected with the crankshaft, and a rod-shaped oil passage switching valve operatively connected with the oil pumps. The oil passage switching valve and the drive shaft of the oil pumps are arranged such that axial directions thereof are parallel to an axial direction of the crankshaft. Also, the oil pumps and the oil passage switching valve are disposed so as to overlap each other in the axial direction of the crankshaft. With such configuration of the engine, the effect on various components around the pump can be reduced, while downsizing the oil pump and the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriyuki Kawamata, Toshimasa Mitsubori, Satoshi Ino
  • Multi-stroke hybrid propulsion system
    Patent number: 8578893
    Abstract: A hybrid propulsion system for a vehicle and method of operation are described. In one example, the engine may operate in a two stroke cycle to provide increased engine torque when a recharging operation of the on-board energy storage device is requested. Further, a transition from a four stroke cycle to the two stroke cycle may be performed while maintaining the transmission in the previously selected gear ratio in response to a requested increase in charging or a requested increase in wheel torque as requested by the vehicle operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Gopichandra Surnilla
  • Sleeve valve assembly
    Patent number: 8573178
    Abstract: A sleeve valve assembly. The assembly includes a valve seat, a sleeve valve and an oil path-defining piece. The sleeve valve includes a distal end with a cavity. The distal end contacts the valve seat when the sleeve valve is located in a closed position. The oil path-defining piece includes an inlet port, an outlet port and a plurality of cooling passages. The flange of the sleeve valve is slidably in contact with the oil path-defining piece such that cooling fluid travelling into the inlet port and through the cooling passages enters into the cavity before exiting out the exit port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Pinnacle Engines, Inc.
    Inventor: James M Cleeves
  • Pump apparatus
    Patent number: 8573164
    Abstract: A pump apparatus installed in a cooling system of an internal combustion engine includes: a first housing member having a generally circular recess portion; a pump rotor placed within the recess portion; and a second housing member that is fixed to the first housing member so as to define a pump operation chamber that corresponds to the recess portion. The first housing member includes a housing body portion in which the recess portion is formed, and a discharge-side cylindrical portion formed integrally with the housing body portion so as to define a discharge passageway of the cooling water. The second housing member includes a cover portion that covers an opening end side of the recess portion, and a suction-side cylindrical portion that is formed integrally with the cover portion so as to define a suction passageway of the cooling water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Mitsumasa Yamagata
  • Crank chamber communication structure of multi-cylinder internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 8573176
    Abstract: A crank chamber communication structure for a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine having a plurality of partition walls that are formed by a cylinder block and a crankcase, that are formed to support a crankshaft and to define a plurality of crank chambers that correspond to the plurality of cylinders, the structure including: a plurality of respective first communicating holes formed in the plurality of partition walls for communication between respective pairs of adjoining crank chambers separated by an interposed partition wall; and a second communicating hole that is formed at least either of the cylinder block or the crankcase, and that is interposed between a pair of non-adjoining crank chambers between which at least two partition walls among the plurality of partition walls are interposed for direct communication between the pair of non-adjoining crank chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Manabu Fujii
  • Spark ignition type internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 8573166
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine which is provided with a variable compression ratio mechanism which can change a mechanical compression ratio and a variable valve timing mechanism which can control a closing timing of an intake valve. No-entry regions (X1, X2) are set for a combination of the mechanical compression ratio, the closing timing of the intake valve, and the intake air amount. Furthermore, a no-entry layer is set so as to surround the no-entry region (X2). When the demanded intake air amount is made to decrease and the operating point moves toward the no-entry region (X2), the operating point is prohibited from entering the no-entry layer whereby the operating point is blocked from entering the no-entry region (X2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yukihiro Nakasaka, Yoshihiro Sakayanagi, Hiroyuki Tanaka
  • Air intake device for internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 8573175
    Abstract: An air intake device for an internal combustion engine includes an air intake path, a throttle valve, and a first partition plate. The throttle valve is provided in the air intake path and includes a valve shaft and a valve body. The valve body is connected to the valve shaft to open and close the air intake path and has a first end and a second end. The first partition plate is disposed approximately parallel to a flow direction of intake air and includes opposite ends connected to a first inner wall surface of the air intake path closer to the first end than the second end. The first partition plate has a substantially curved convex shape protruding radially inward of the air intake path. The first partition plate is located downstream of the first end of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Wakamatsu, Jin Yamagishi
  • Actuating device of a recirculation pump for a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 8573165
    Abstract: Actuating device for a recirculation pump of a cooling circuit of an internal combustion engine comprising a pulley suitable for being rotationally driven by the engine, a driven shaft for driving the pump and an electromagnetically controlled coupling interposed between the pulley and the driven shaft, in which the electromagnetic coupling comprises an electromagnet, coupling mechanism controlled by the electromagnet and mobile between an engagement position in which the pulley is connected to the driven shaft and a disengagement position, and an elastic member for maintaining an engagement member in the engaged position when the electromagnet is not energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Dayco Europe S.r.L.
    Inventors: Andrea Guala, Gianluca Cariccia, Riccardo Seren Rosso
  • Portable energy generation systems
    Patent number: 8567354
    Abstract: Portable energy generation systems are disclosed. More particularly, a high-output mobile electrical generator system comprising a radial engine power source providing a highly compact physical format.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Clear Energy Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Anthony J. Carmen, Douglas R. Heise, Janet R. Kealy
  • Drill rig and method for controlling a fan therein
    Patent number: 8567356
    Abstract: A method for controlling at least one fan (13) for the regulation of the cooling demand of at least two cooling elements (12) included in a drill rig (1), the cooling demand of each one of the cooling elements (12) being determined, that the determined cooling demands are weighted together and that the fan (13) is controlled based on the weighting together. The method is characterized in that at least one of the cooling elements is equipped with a safety thermostat (21), which, if required, prevents overcooling that the fluid is not allowed to circulate in the cooling elements. The invention also relates to a drill rig for the execution of the above-mentioned method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Atlas Copco Rock Drills AB
    Inventor: Henrik Jacobsson
  • Engine manifold with modular runners
    Patent number: 8567366
    Abstract: An intake manifold assembly for an internal combustion engine that has a modular construction and includes a base member, a runner, and a shell, wherein the base member removably attaches to the engine, and the runner and the shell each separately and independently removably attach to the base member. In another aspect, the assembly further includes a fastener for attaching the runner to the base member, wherein the shell is formed so as to retain the fastener between the shell and the base member when the shell is attached to the base member. In another aspect, the assembly further includes a bumper affixed to a surface of the base member, wherein the bumper abuts a surface of the internal combustion engine. In another aspect, the base member includes a sealing ridge that mates with a sealing groove provided on the shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Competition Cams, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Reese, Tim Collins, Donald Carbone
  • Gear and balance shaft for a piston engine
    Patent number: 8561589
    Abstract: Balance shaft for a piston engine comprises a bearing journal, on which the balance shaft is supported, a gear section, on which a gear is connected in a rotation-locked manner thereto via a press fit or another shaft-hub-connection, and an unbalanced section having an integrally connected unbalanced mass or an unbalanced mass fastened on this unbalanced section using machine elements or via another shaft-hub connection. The balance shaft can alternately comprise steel or cast iron material in the case of a friction mounting and its bearing journals can alternately be implemented as hardened or also unhardened. If the balance shaft is mounted in roller bearings and if the roller bodies have direct contact with the bearing surface, it is implemented in a suitable steel and the bearing journals are hardened. The gear comprises nodular cast iron and is not hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: MITEC Automotive AG
    Inventors: Jörg Trieschmann, Andreas Nagler