Abstract: The method includes the steps of sensing position of the crankshaft during a number of engine cycles and generating a frequency signal in response thereto and sensing position of the crankshaft during a number of engine cycles and generating a crankshaft frequency signal in response thereto and calculating a crankshaft speed and a crankshaft acceleration based on the frequency signal. The method further includes the step of and calculating a future piston position based on the crankshaft speed and the crankshaft acceleration. The method still further includes the steps of calculating a future engine valve position and comparing the future piston position to the future engine valve position to determine if the future engine valve position interferes with the future piston position. The method yet further includes the step of locating the engine valve in the closed position in response to determining that the future engine valve position interferes with the future piston position.

Abstract: A method of covering a valve and rocker arm area of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine includes an engine exhaust outlet and an engine air inlet. The method includes the step of providing a valve cover assembly which includes a housing having a chamber defined therein, and a conduit positioned in the chamber. The conduit connects the engine exhaust outlet to the engine air inlet. The method also includes the step of securing the valve cover assembly to the engine so that the cover portion of the valve cover assembly covers the valve and rocker arm area. The method further includes the step of advancing exhaust gas from the engine exhaust outlet to the engine air inlet through the conduit. The method still further includes the step of advancing fluid through the housing so as to cool the conduit. A valve cover assembly for use on an internal combustion engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use in an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The valve assembly includes a housing which defines a chamber. The housing further defines an outlet, a first inlet, and a second inlet, each of which is in fluid communication with the chamber. The valve assembly further includes a master valve positioned within the chamber. The master valve isolates the first inlet from the outlet when the master valve is positioned in a seated master position. The master valve places the first inlet in fluid communication with the outlet when the master valve is located in an open master position. The valve assembly still further includes a slave valve positioned within the chamber. The slave valve isolates the second inlet from the outlet when the slave valve is positioned in a seated slave position. The slave valve places the second inlet in fluid communication with the outlet when the slave valve is located in an open slave position.

Abstract: A method of engine compression braking for an internal combustion engine is disclosed wherein the engine is converted to a two-cycle mode for braking. Exhaust valves are opened in cylinders wherein associated pistons are near top dead center and substantially simultaneously, exhaust valves are opened in cylinders wherein associated pistons are nominally past bottom dead center. The method results in an advantageous braking power increase due to back-filling of the cylinders wherein the pistons are nominally past bottom dead center. A similar method is disclosed for use during four-cycle braking.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use in a dual compression/dual expansion engine having an internal housing operating within an external housing, the valve assembly having a valve element operating in a valve guide secured to the internal housing with a valve spring provided to ensure proper closure of the valve element, and a valve train subassembly extending coaxially about the valve spring, the valve train subassembly operating slidingly in the external housing of engine in response to a valve actuation means, such that the valve element and the valve train subassembly operate independently when the valve actuation means is not actuating the valve element.

Abstract: An improved valving configuration for dual compression/expansion engines having multiple, relatively small diameter intake transfer valve assemblies disposed about a fuel injection apparatus in the internal housing, a relatively large diameter exhaust transfer valve assembly including a valve, spring apparatus, valve seat and cage for assembly into the internal housing, and a method of assembling the transfer valves to the internal housing including assembling the intake transfer valves to the internal housing through the exhaust transfer valve assembly aperture in the internal housing prior to securing the exhaust transfer valve assembly to the internal housing.

Abstract: Apparatus for interconnecting an actuator and a pivotable exhaust valve opening member includes a recess in the exhaust valve opening member and a bearing member disposed in the recess and capable of swiveling therein. A plunger is carried by the actuator and is movable into contact with an engagement surface of the bearing member.

Abstract: In order to achieve great engine efficiency, heat, normally dissipated through the cooling system, is directed through the exhaust passage to increase the turbocharger speed. Ceramic valve guides capable of withstanding high temperature ranges are being used for increased engine efficiency. Unfortunately, the resultant interference fit achieved through conventional shrink fitting the ceramic valve guide into the cylinder head will be lost once the engine is at operating temperatures due to the differential thermal expansion between the ceramic and the cylinder head material. The present invention provides a simple means for ensuring that the ceramic valve guide will be mounted within a cylinder head in a way that ensures that the ceramic valve guide is held in place within the cylinder head throughout the operating cycles of the engine. This is accomplished by utilizing a securing assembly which circumferentially surrounds the ceramic valve guide.

Abstract: In order to achieve great engine efficiency, heat, normally dissipated through the cooling system, is directed through the exhaust passage to increase the turbocharger output. Conventional iron base valve guides cannot operate effectively within the high temperature ranges. Therefore, ceramic valve guides capable of withstanding high temperature ranges are being used for increased engine durability. Unfortunately, ceramic valve guides are difficult to install into a cylinder head using any currently available techniques. The present invention provides a simple means for mounting a ceramic valve guide assembly (52) within a cylinder head (18). A ceramic sleeve (70) is inserted into a metallic sleeve (80). The ceramic sleeve (70) and the metallic sleeve (80) are machined so that an interference fit is obtained when assembled to define the valve guide assembly (52). The valve guide assembly (52) is installed into the cylinder head (18) in a normal manner.

Abstract: The use of devices to simultaneously actuate multiple valves operatively associated with a common combustion chamber is becoming more important due to the increase in multiple valve internal combustion engines. The ability to simultaneously actuate multiple valves reduces weight, costs, and parts in the engine. The subject valve actuation device (10) has a valve arrangement (12) with at least three valves (14, 15, and 16) having stem portions (40, 41, and 42) operatively associated with a common combustion chamber (22). A free-floating bridge (62) having three recesses (64, 65, and 66) is seated on the stem portions (40, 41, and 42). A movable rocker arm (34) having two fingers (36 and 37) contacts the free-floating bridge (62) at locations sufficient to actuate the valves (14, 15 and 16) simultaneously.

Abstract: Multiple intake valves operatively associated in a common combustion chamber are advantageous in that the design achieves high output for an internal combustion engine. The subject modified cylinder head utilizes the advantages available in a multiple intake valve system, but further enhances the design by reducing heat rejection. In the subject modified cylinder head, three intake valves (38,40,42) having corresponding intake valve ports (26,28,30) and one exhaust valve (68) having an exhaust valve port (66) are operatively associated in a common combustion chamber. A reduction in heat rejection is achieved through a relationship between the cross-sectional areas of the intake and exhaust valve ports (26,28,30,66). The intake valve ports (26,28,30) are constructed so that their cross-sectional area is larger than about 69% of the combined cross-sectional area of the intake and the exhaust ports (26,28,30,66).

Abstract: Previously disclosed distributor fuel injection pumps for internal combustion engines offer the advantages of reduced size, weight, and cost of a fuel injection system. However, these pumps have not been able to provide relatively high fuel injection pressures which could improve fuel combustion for better fuel economy and lower noxious emissions. In contrast, the subject distributor fuel injection pump generates relatively high fuel injection pressures in a relatively compact arrangement. A semi-spherical nutator member freely rotatably mounted on an oblique journal of a drive shaft imparts high speed harmonic motion to at least one reciprocating pump plunger for pressurizing the fuel. A relatively large semi-spherical bearing interface between the nutator member and a pump housing accommodates very high pumping reaction loads.

Abstract: A differential comprises a pair of face gears, a carrier rotatably mounted between the face gears and a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted on the carrier and intermeshing with the face gears for differentially permitting one face gear to rotate relative to the other face gear. The pinion gears are each rotatably mounted in bearings and a lubrication system is provided for pumping lubricating fluid to the bearings for lubrication and cooling purposes. The lubrication system comprises a double-acting pump mounted adjacent to the carrier and a rocker arm pivotally mounted adjacent to each end of the pump. A first end of the rocker arm engages a cam attached to the carrier whereas a second thereof engages an end of a piston rod reciprocably mounted in the pump to pump lubricating fluid to the bearing.

Abstract: An improved slant axis rotary mechanism including a housing defining a chamber having radially inner and outer spherical walls interconnected by opposed, generally radially extending side walls, a shaft journalled in the housing and having an angularly offset portion within the chamber, a timing gear within the chamber at one side thereof and surrounding the shaft, a rotor journalled on the angularly offset portion within the chamber and having a spherical hub and a peripheral, radially outwardly extending flange extending from the hub, and a ring gear carried by the hub on one end thereof and meshed with the timing gear. In the inventive mechanism, the included angle between opposite portions of the flange on the side opposite from the gears is less than 180.degree. thereby enabling the thickness of the flange to be increased, or the wobble angle to be increased, or combinations of the foregoing.

Abstract: A differential comprises a pair of face gears, a carrier rotatably mounted between the face gears and a plurality of pinion gears rotatably mounted on the carrier and intermeshing with the face gears for differentially permitting one face gear to rotate relative to the other face gear. The pinion gears are each rotatably mounted in bearings and a lubrication system is provided for pumping lubricating fluid to the bearings for lubrication and cooling purposes. The lubrication system comprises a double-acting pump mounted adjacent to the carrier and a rocker arm pivotally mounted adjacent to each end of the pump. A first end of the rocker arm engages a cam attached to the carrier whereas a second thereof engages an end of a piston rod reciprocably mounted in the pump to pump lubricating fluid to the bearing.

Abstract: An accumulator type injection valve of simple construction and relatively large accumulator capacity has opposed inlet and outlet valves for alternately and intermittently communicating a single chamber with an inlet passage for receiving fuel from a pump and an outlet passage in further communication with an injection nozzle, the outlet valve being an inwardly opening needle valve responsive to fluid pressure within the chamber. In order to even further improve operating response of the injection valve, a dump valve relieves fluid pressure from the chamber below a preselected pressure.

Abstract: An improved slant axis rotary mechanism including a housing defining a chamber, a shaft journalled in the housing and having an angular eccentric within the chamber and a rotor within the chamber and journalled on the eccentric. The eccentric includes a radially outwardly extending thrust collar located between the ends of the eccentric. The rotor includes a hub and a peripheral flange and is defined by a centerpiece including the flange and part of the hub and having a bearing pad embracing one side of the thrust collar. An intermediate piece is secured to the centerpiece on one side thereof and has a bearing pad embracing the other side of the thrust collar. A pair of covers each defining part of the hub, are respectively secured to the centerpiece and to the intermediate piece and partially cover the latter.