Patents by Inventor Eric B. Hudson

Eric B. Hudson has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5685266
    Abstract: Bulk and complexity of a lubrication system incorporated in an internal combustion engine (10) having an engine block (11), a power shaft (12) mounted in the engine block for rotation about a power shaft axis, a combustion chamber (18), a valve arrangement (20) for controlling intake to and exhaust from the combustion chamber (18), a cam device (22) for actuating the valve arrangement (20), and a pressurized oil lubrication system (15) is avoided in a construction wherein the cam device (22) and the pressurized oil lubrication system (15) include a ring cam (24) journalled on the block (11). The ring cam (24) has an outer cam-shaped periphery (26) for actuating the valve arrangement (20), and an inner periphery (35) configured as a ring gear (36).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Eric B. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5640936
    Abstract: A removable oil tank and oil filter for four cycle dry sump internal combustion engines having particular utility in marine applications. A support for the tank is attached to or near the engine and the oil tank is held in engagement with the support by mechanical quick disconnect retainers. Oil lines connecting the tank and the engine oil circulating system are connected by quick disconnect fluid connectors. One portion of the quick disconnect fluid connectors may be fixedly attached to a support for the tank in a position where they help support the oil tank when the connectors are joined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 24, 1997
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Eric B. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5615586
    Abstract: In internal combustion engine (10) having a power shaft (12) mounted in an engine block (11) for rotation about a power shaft axis (X), a valve arrangement (20) for controlling intake to and exhaust from a combustion chamber (20), and a cam device (22) for actuating the valve arrangement (20); the cam device (22) includes a ring cam (24) having a generally ring-shaped body, with the body having an inner peripheral surface (35) and an outer peripheral surface (26). The ring cam (24) is mounted to the engine block (11) for rotation about a cam axis (Y) displaced from the power shaft axis (X). A cam surface (32) or (34) is provided on the outer peripheral surface (26) for actuating the valve arrangement (20) as the ring cam (24) is rotated about the cam axis (Y). A gear (38) is operably engaged with the power shaft (12) and nested inside the inner peripheral surface (35) for driving the ring cam (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 1, 1997
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: George E. Phillips, Eric B. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5522351
    Abstract: The invention is a liquid to liquid heat exchanger incorporated into the body of an internal combustion engine. A first cooling liquid, e.g., oil, is circulated through passages in the engine block and along one side of a heat conducting wall integral the engine block. A second cooling liquid, e.g., water, is circulated through a cooling water passage adjacent to the heat conducting wall to remove heat from the first cooling liquid; and may also be pumped through other passages within the engine block for cooling purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Eric B. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5445118
    Abstract: In order to eliminate components in an internal combustion engine, and to thereby reduce the cost and weight while enhancing compactness in a rigid yet quiet arrangement, a valve train assembly is disclosed. The internal combustion engine has a valve with an integral valve stem, a valve lifter in engagement with a cam, and a rocker arm in engagement with the valve stem. The valve train assembly is such that the rocker arm is in engagement with the valve lifter at a first point along its length and is in engagement with the valve stem at a second point along its length. The rocker arm has a recess at the first point along its length for receiving and engaging the valve lifter therein. The valve train assembly is also such that the rocker arm has a surface at the second point along its length to thereby move the valve in response to movement of the valve lifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1995
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Eric B. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5415138
    Abstract: Difficulties with wear and the cost of guide systems for pushrods and overhead valve engines are reduced in an overhead valve internal combustion engine of the type having a block (10) with at least one cylinder (12), a head (26) fitted to the block (10), a valve (32) mounted for reciprocating movement in the head (26) toward and away from the cylinder (12) and a rocker arm (56) rockably mounted on the head (26). The rocker arm (56) abuts the valve (32) oppositely of the cylinder (12) and aligned pushrod cavities (72), (74) are respectively provided in the head (26) and block (10). A reciprocal pushrod (64) is disposed in the cavities (72), (74) and engages the rocker arm (56) oppositely of the valve (32). According to the invention, guides in the form of two spaced pins (78), (80) are disposed in one of the cavities (72) and are laterally spaced a distance about equal to the thickness of the pushrod (64) and are also spaced in the direction of reciprocation (82) of the pushrod (64).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Eric B. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5199318
    Abstract: A crankshaft and connecting rod assembly, and method of assembling same, including a crankshaft having a tapered end, a crankpin, and a one piece connecting rod having a large end that is slipped over the tapered end of the crankshaft and onto the crankpin. A radially protruding portion is formed on the crankpin such that a leading face of the bearing assembly of the large end abuts the protruding portion. Thereafter, a retaining pin is inserted into a radially extending hole in the crankshaft such that the retaining pin retains a second and opposite bearing surface of the large end of the connecting rod, thereby preventing the connecting rod from excessive axial movement along the crankpin. The retaining pin is preferably a spring-like roll pin that is resiliently and frictionally press fit into the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Eric B. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5195480
    Abstract: A method of broaching the surfaces of crankcase halves to permit upper and lower halves to be subsequently assembled in random pairs as a crankcase for use in an internal combustion engine. Each of the halves is broached along an essentially flat mating portion and main bearing half bores. The broached halves are then assembled together along their respective mating surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Eric B. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5090375
    Abstract: A single cylinder, overhead cam, internal combustion engine lubrication system where lubricating oil is pumped from a crankcase oil sump through oil passages to the upper bearings of the crankshaft and camshaft. The oil leaks from the bearings, adheres and flows down the shafts which is flung by rotation thereby lubricating the cam lobes and valve tappets. Oil, accumulating in the cam chamber sump, lubricates the lower camshaft bearing before being pumped through the closed loop circulatory system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1992
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Eric B. Hudson
  • Patent number: 4982705
    Abstract: An air-cooled internal combustion engine includes a crankcase, a crankshaft disposed within the crankcase and extending externally thereof, and a cylinder extending from the crankcase and having a piston mounted for reciprocation therein and connected to the crankshaft. A cylinder head is connected to the cylinder and includes an overhead camshaft disposed therein, with the camshaft extending externally of the cylinder head. A drive pulley is mounted to the crankshaft externally of the crankcase, and a cam pulley is mounted to the camshaft externally of the cylinder head. A drive belt positively engages the drive pulley and the cam pulley for transmitting rotary motion therebetween. The cam pulley includes integral fan blades for directing air axially toward the cylinder head upon rotation of the cam pulley. The cylinder head includes an intake valve, an exhaust valve, and an air passageway extending therethrough substantially parallel to the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Eric B. Hudson