Abstract: A very compact arrangement of a catalyst bed and exhaust gas bypass passage for a catalytic converter assembly having an essentially overall oval shape with the catalyst bed and bypass passage essentially parallel and side-by-side, and a multi-wing butterfly valve alternately seatable to close one of the passages while opening the other, and vice-versa.

Abstract: Several embodiments of an automotive engine camshaft deactivator that smoothly disconnect and reconnect a camshaft from the engine driveshaft with a low level impact force between the parts, the connection being made through a slippage friction clutch type mechanism that engages the two members in a manner providing slippage therebetween while the camshaft is being brought up to speed, whereby the camshaft lags behind the drive sprocket allowing the drive sprocket to cam a locking pin into a positive engagement relationship between the camshaft and crankshaft.

Abstract: A variable camshaft drive system for an internal combustion engine includes a primary camshaft phaser interposed between the engine crankshaft and a first camshaft. A secondary camshaft phaser determines the phase relationship between the first camshaft and a second camshaft driven by the first camshaft and which is located on the same bank of cylinders as the first camshaft. The operation of each phaser is controlled by an electronic controller which samples one or more engine operating parameters.

Abstract: A variable compression ratio device for an internal combustion engine includes a connecting rod having passages formed therein for communicating a hydraulic signal to the piston attached to the connecting rod, means for generating a hydraulic signal having a signal characteristic which is indicative of a desired compression ratio, and a variable compression height piston which is positionable in a plurality of compression heights, including fully retracted, fully extended, and at least one position therebetween, with the piston having an outer section slidably mounted on an inner section, and with the inner section being attached to the connecting rod, with the piston having means responsive to inertia and gas pressure forces and to the generated hydraulic signal for controlling the compression height.

Abstract: A method of operating an automotive-type engine by independently phase shifting the intake and exhaust valves to provide at part loads late closing of the intake valve during the compression stroke to reduce pumping losses, with a delayed overlap between the opening of the intake valve and closing of the exhaust valve controlled to reduce HC and control NO.sub.x by providing a desired level internal EGR by the backflow of gases into the cylinder and intake port, and late opening of the exhaust valve during the expansion stroke to increase expansion work; also a low overlap at idle for improved stability, and optimizing valve timings at wide open throttle for increased torque and power output.

Abstract: The present invention contemplates a mechanically simply constructed mechanism located internally of a piston engine for adjustably changing the stroke of a piston over a predetermined range in response to a variety of operating control parameters. The adjustable stroke changing mechanism provides an optimum compression ratio at each change in piston stroke and over the entire range of piston stroke provided which may be varied from one piston engine to another of different performance characteristics without requiring a major change in design of the stroke changing mechanism. The stroke changing mechanism includes a swing plate pivotally fixed to the engine block at one end and placed intermediate the piston connection rod and respective crankshaft pin at its other end, each of which are affixed to and translate within the swing plate as the piston is driven to reciprocate within a piston cylinder.

Abstract: A modular control mechanism for shifting the phase of a camshaft relative to a crankshaft in an internal combustion engine, accomplished by shifting the angular position of the camshaft relative to the crankshaft. The mechanism comprising two hydraulic cylindrical housings attached to either the camshaft flange or the camshaft driving sprocket, and plungers within the cylindrical housings attached to the other flange to form a rotational hydraulic coupling. The hydraulic cylinders providing a pair of cavities which vary in displacement as the two flanges are rotated relative to one another. A control apparatus regulating the flow of fluid between the hydraulic cylindrical housings, thus controlling the phase shift between the crankshaft and camshaft. The control device using the energy produced by the reaction torque pulses on the camshaft, and resultant pressure pulses in the cavities, thus creating a self-actuating system.

Abstract: A modular control mechanism for shifting the phase or angular position of a camshaft or camshafts relative to a crankshaft in an internal combustion engine, and utilizing the energy produced by the reaction torque pulses on the camshaft, and resultant pressure pulses in the cavities, to provide a self-actuating system. In one embodiment, e.g. for controlling a single camshaft, the mechanism comprises two hydraulic cylindrical housings attached to either the camshaft flange or the camshaft driving sprocket, and a respective piston within each cylindrical housing and attached to the other flange to form a rotational hydraulic coupling. The hydraulic cylinders provide a pair of fluid chambers varying in displacement as the two flanges are rotated relative to one another. A hydraulic control apparatus regulates the flow of fluid between the hydraulic cylinders, thus controlling the phase shift between the crankshaft and camshaft.

Abstract: An automotive type fuel injection engine has for each cylinder a single intake manifold runner or log connected by siamesed flow passages to multiple side-by-side intake ports in the cylinder head. A fuel injector is installed in the runner upstream of the dividing portion of the runner. A single constant diameter bore is provided through the cylinder head close to the intake ports intersecting the siamesed flow passages at right angles. The bore contains a one-piece rotatable paddle-like valve with a thin plate in a flow passage, the valve being variable rotatable to close off the passage for fuel economy and power control. The valve is self-contained with sealing and guidance disks.

Abstract: A rocker arm construction suitable for high-speed operation with low-friction consisting of a one-piece essentially U-shaped rocker arm having a bottom portion continuous in material from end to end with an upraised cylindrical surface portion constituting a fulcrum engaged with a stationary lash adjuster mounted in a housing secured to the rocker arm cover, the housing also including a rib portion straddling a roller cam follower rotatably mounted on one end of the rocker arm, the rib portion having a recess, the surface of which defines an epicyclic curve generated by a point on the roller cam follower as it rolls about a cam lobe on the chamshaft, the latter curve providing a pure rolling motion of the cam follower on the cam lobe and assuring a pure rolling motion of the rocker arm on the fulcrum line contact with the lash adjuster, the opposite end of the rocker arm engaging the end of a valve stem for reciprocation thereof.

Abstract: A spark plug for an ignition system has a ring gap between two electrodes. A first electrode has a ring shape defining a central opening. A second electrode is positioned within the central opening of the first electrode. An insulating material is positioned between the first and second electrodes so as to provide a surface for a spark path between the first and second electrodes. The insulating material is spaced from the electrode so as to provide therebetween an air gap for increased sparking.

Abstract: A fuel injection pump includes a number of plungers of the fill/spill port control type, the plungers being hydraulically connected in pairs and through a single shuttle valve to a single fuel spill port controlled by a single solenoid controlled spill valve, the plungers being operable in sequence and in succession to condition one plunger at a time for fuel pressurization while the remaining plungers are in various other phases of operation refilling their fuel chambers with fuel or preparing the air fuel chamber for pressurization.

Abstract: A compact four valve per cylinder overhead camshaft valve train arrangement for use with small cylinder bore engines is made possible by the mounting of a single overhead camshaft at a position high over the cylinder head and laterally offset from the cylinder bore centerline and adjacent a rocker arm shaft that is mounted on the cylinder bore centerline diagonally beneath the camshaft and in turn mounts a single forked lever type rocker arm for the simultaneous actuation of two exhaust valves, and a pair of individual axially spaced rocker arms directed to the opposite side of the rocker arm shaft for actuating a pair of intake valves, roller type cam followers being used to reduce friction, the arrangement providing access to the center of the cylinder bore for the mounting of a spark plug below and beneath the rocker arm shaft and between the intake valve rocker arms and the intake valves.

Abstract: A fuel injection pump of the radial plunger, spill port type includes electromagnetic means for opening and closing the spill port to control the pressurization of fuel for injection of fuel to the individual engine cylinders; a single solenoid assembly controlling the flow of fuel to and from a pair of pumping plungers in response to the movement of a shuttle valve mechanism; in one embodiment, a single retraction type delivery valve is used in connection with each pumping plunger and, in a separate embodiment, a single retraction type delivery valve is integrated with the shuttle valve mechanism which controls the individual delivery of fuel to a pair of engine cylinders.

Abstract: An air-air/fuel throttle body is provided with a secondary throttle valve of a differing diameter and operating in a different cross-sectional area of the throttle body induction passage, the upstream throttle valve being positively connected to the vehicle accelerator pedal to assure a like opening or closing movement of the latter throttle valve upon movement of the accelerator pedal, the construction assuring that main control of the flow of air and changes in manifold vacuum will be retained by the lower smaller diameter servo operated throttle valve operating in a smaller cross-sectional area.

Abstract: A method of operating an internal combustion engine of the spark ignition type with a fuel having a high latent heat of vaporization such as methanol by injecting the fuel in two stages, the first major portion of the fuel being injected at the start of the intake stroke into a bowl-in-piston cavity combustion chamber to be vaporized and atomized, the second smaller portion being injected late in the compression stroke just prior to ignition to remain close to the injector tip to richen the mixture adjacent the spark plug, and igniting the mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for decreasing fuel consumption in a variably loaded, two cycle internal combustion engine. Fluid communication is provided between the working cylinder and air chamber during the upward stroke of the engine up to about 85.degree.-105.degree. BTDC, during which time the cylinder gases can flow back into the air chamber reducing engine friction as a result of a delay in the rise of the cylinder gas pressure during compression and a reduction in the peak compression pressure.

Abstract: A compact fuel injection pump of the radial plunger type having a plunger barrel that integrates the plunger and a delivery valve in a common bore along with a fuel inlet-spill port in the wall of the barrel, the port being controlled by a ball valve actuated by a solenoid to a closed position to permit pressurization of the fuel for injection past the delivery valve, the ball valve being self-aligning.

Abstract: A plurality of fuel valve injectors for a diesel engine combustion chamber in which a fuel flow control valve assembly having a high pressure fuel inlet is intermittently pressurized, and a low pressure supply pump inlet connected to a fuel pressurization chamber and to a prechamber fuel injector, the high pressure fuel moving a plunger to unseat a ball valve and pressurize the fuel to the injector to inject fuel through it, the stroke of the plunger being determined by the spacer, seating of the ball valve against a seat terminating flow to the injector, continued pressurization in inlet then opening the pressure relief mechanism of the main chamber injector.

Abstract: FIG. 1 schematically shows a fuel control system for a fuel injected engine. The system includes two vacuum control circuits, essentially identical in valve structure. One circuit controls the recirculation of exhaust gases into the engine intake manifold 14 and a change in engine ignition timing in response to engine throttle valve 34 angle by a regulator 310, in response to changes in engine temperature by a signal reducer 312, and in response to engine load by a manifold vacuum sensitive valve 314. A second circuit controls the engine fuel injection pump fuel flow rate as a function of changes in throttle valve angle by a valve 420, engine temperature levels by a valve 422, and load levels by a valve 424 to adjust an engine air/fuel ratio controller 52 to maintain either a base air/fuel ratio or air/fuel ratios as called for by the particular engine operating conditions.