Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes a crankcase defining a sump, and a lubrication system scavenging oil from the crankcase and supplying oil to the crankshaft and to first and second cylinder heads. The lubrication system includes a pump with housing and rotor, the housing being fixed to the crankcase and the rotor being rotatable around a crankshaft axis and being rotated by the crankshaft. A plurality of oil supply passages extend through the crankcase, potentially including at least one being formed in the crankcase.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes a crankcase defining a sump, and a lubrication system scavenging oil from the crankcase and supplying oil to the crankshaft and to first and second cylinder heads. The lubrication system includes a pump with housing and rotor, the housing being fixed to the crankcase and the rotor being rotatable around a crankshaft axis and being rotated by the crankshaft. A plurality of oil supply passages extend through the crankcase, potentially including at least one being formed in the crankcase.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes a crankcase, two banks of cylinders projecting from the crankcase in a 56-57 degree V-configuration, a plurality of pushrods, and a plurality of camshafts supported by the crankcase. The two banks of cylinders include a first cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase to a first cylinder head, and a second cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase to a second cylinder head. The plurality of intake and exhaust valve pushrods extend between the crankcase and the first and second cylinder heads, driven by one intake camshaft and two exhaust camshafts.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes a crankcase, two banks of cylinders projecting from the crankcase in a 56-57 degree V-configuration, a plurality of pushrods, and a plurality of camshafts supported by the crankcase. The two banks of cylinders include a first cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase to a first cylinder head, and a second cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase to a second cylinder head. The plurality of intake and exhaust valve pushrods extend between the crankcase and the first and second cylinder heads, driven by one intake camshaft and two exhaust camshafts.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes a crankcase, two banks of cylinders projecting from the crankcase in a 56-57 degree V-configuration, a plurality of pushrods, and a plurality of camshafts supported by the crankcase. The two banks of cylinders include a first cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase to a first cylinder head, and a second cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase to a second cylinder head. The plurality of intake and exhaust valve pushrods extend between the crankcase and the first and second cylinder heads, driven by one intake camshaft and two exhaust camshafts.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes a crankcase, two banks of cylinders projecting from the crankcase in a 56-57 degree V-configuration, a plurality of pushrods, and a plurality of camshafts supported by the crankcase. The two banks of cylinders include a first cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase to a first cylinder head, and a second cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase to a second cylinder head. The plurality of intake and exhaust valve pushrods extend between the crankcase and the first and second cylinder heads, driven by one intake camshaft and two exhaust camshafts.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes a crankcase, two banks of cylinders projecting from the crankcase in a 56-57 degree V-configuration, a plurality of pushrods, and a plurality of camshafts supported by the crankcase. The two banks of cylinders include a first cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase to a first cylinder head, and a second cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase to a second cylinder head. The plurality of intake and exhaust valve pushrods extend between the crankcase and the first and second cylinder heads, driven by one intake camshaft and two exhaust camshafts.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (300) for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle (20), includes a crankcase (380), two banks of cylinders (320a, 320b) projecting from the crankcase (380) in a V-configuration, a plurality of pushrods (364), and a plurality of camshafts (360a, 360b, 360c) supported by the crankcase (380). The two banks of cylinders (320a, 320b) include a first cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase (380) to a first cylinder head (340a), and a second cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase (380) to a second cylinder head (340b). The plurality of pushrods (364) extend between the crankcase (380) and the first and second cylinder heads (340a, 340b), and the plurality of camshafts include only the first, second and third camshafts (360a, 360b, 360c).

Abstract: A cylinder head for an internal combustion engine includes at least one rocker arm assembly for an internal combustion engine is disclosed comprising a rocker arm cradle, a rocker shaft, and a rocker arm. The cradle adds design flexibility since it can be mounted in different orientations based on functional requirements of the engine, yet good rocker arm operation is maintained. Also, the engine includes a cylinder head that contains an air cooling passage and an improved oil distribution system.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle, includes a crankcase, two banks of cylinders projecting from the crankcase in a 56-57 degree V-configuration, a plurality of pushrods, and a plurality of camshafts supported by the crankcase. The two banks of cylinders include a first cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase to a first cylinder head, and a second cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase to a second cylinder head. The plurality of intake and exhaust valve pushrods extend between the crankcase and the first and second cylinder heads, driven by one intake camshaft and two exhaust camshafts.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (300) for a vehicle, such as a motorcycle (20), includes a crankcase (380), two banks of cylinders (320a, 320b) projecting from the crankcase (380) in a V-configuration, a plurality of pushrods (364), and a plurality of camshafts (360a, 360b, 360c) supported by the crankcase (380). The two banks of cylinders (320a, 320b) include a first cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase (380) to a first cylinder head (340a), and a second cylinder bank that projects from the crankcase (380) to a second cylinder head (340b). The plurality of pushrods extend between the crankcase (380) and the first and second cylinder heads (340a, 340b), and the plurality of camshafts include only the first, second and third camshafts (360a, 360b, 360c).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes pressure relief devices that reduce pressure due to compression during startup, thereby decreasing the force needed to start the engine. A pressure relief valve mounts on top of the cylinder head and includes a duct to the combustion chamber leading to the valve and a second duct leading to the exhaust port so that gases in the combustion chamber may be vented through the exhaust system. A mechanical actuator having cables directed to each of the pressure relief valves for each of the cylinders manually actuates a first embodiment. A second embodiment includes a solenoid with wiring tied into a starter circuit that actuates the multiple valves from a single actuator.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes pressure relief devices that reduce pressure due to compression during startup, thereby decreasing the force needed to start the engine. A pressure relief valve mounts on top of the cylinder head and includes a duct to the combustion chamber leading to the valve and a second duct leading to the exhaust port so that gases in the combustion chamber may be vented through the exhaust system. A mechanical actuator having cables directed to each of the pressure relief valves for each of the cylinders manually actuates a first embodiment. A second embodiment includes a solenoid with wiring tied into a starter circuit that actuates the multiple valves from a single actuator.

Abstract: A method of modifying the cam drive arrangement of a motorcycle engine. The method includes providing an existing cam gear arrangement having a crankshaft sprocket connected to a primary camshaft sprocket with a chain, removing the chain, replacing each of the sprockets with a crankshaft gear and primary camshaft gear respectively, and engaging teeth of the gears so the crankshaft gear drives the primary camshaft gear directly. A specific method for modifying a TWIN CAM 88 engine, made by Harley-Davidson, according to this method, is also described.

Abstract: A lightweight pushrod assembly for internal combustion engines, such as motorcycle racing engines, includes a top pushrod and a bottom pushrod which are joined by a pushrod tappet. The pushrod tappet is mounted for reciprocating movement in a pushrod stanchion, and the stanchion is secured to the engine such that support is provided to the pushrod assembly at a position near the middle of the entire pushrod assembly. The pushrod stanchion also provides part of a pushrod housing assembly, with additional upper and lower housings provided to enclose the upper and lower pushrods. The lower end of the top pushrod and the upper end of the bottom pushrod preferably engage the tappet in a ball and socket joint relation to allow limited radial movement of the top and/or bottom pushrods to minimize the stresses on the pushrods. The supported pushrod assembly may be provided in kits for installation of the pushrod assemblies on existing engines.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a cylinder head with a combustion chamber defined by a depression in the head. The raised face surface of a piston extends into the combustion chamber in the cylinder head as the piston approaches top dead center, and creates turbulent squish currents within the chamber as closely matching surfaces on the piston face and on the walls of the combustion chamber in the head force gases out from between these surfaces. The turbulence helps to prevent autoignition and allows higher compression ratios than would otherwise be possible.

Abstract: A resistor configuration is illustrated that has controlled electro-thermal fracture characteristics. Control is achieved by the formation of a geometrical or compositional flaw in the resistor configuration that causes fracture to originate at a lower stress magnitude than any other stress magnitude within the configuration. The flaw is located within the geometry of the resistor configuration to prevent undesirable multiple fragmentation.