Patents by Inventor Erik J. Christiansen

Erik J. Christiansen 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: 9695764
    Abstract: A marine drive system includes an engine, a fuel system that provides at least two different fuels to the engine, and a fuel selection means for selecting a fuel type. A control unit accesses a set of fuel-specific operating parameters based on the selected fuel type and controls the engine based on the set of fuel-specific operating parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Erik J. Christiansen, Jason F. Pugh
  • Patent number: 6408832
    Abstract: An outboard motor is provided with an engine having a screw compressor which provides a pressurized charge for the combustion chambers of the engine. The screw compression has first and second screw rotors arranged to rotate about vertical axes which are parallel to the axes of a crankshaft of the engine. A bypass valve regulates the flow of air through a bypass conduit extending from an outlet passage of the screw compressor to the inlet passage of the screw compressor. A charge air cooler is used in a preferred embodiment and the bypass conduit then extends between the cold side plenum of the charge air cooler and the inlet of the compressor. The charge air cooler improves the operating efficiency of the engine and avoids overheating the air as it passes through the supercharger after flowing through the bypass conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Erik J. Christiansen
  • Patent number: 6405692
    Abstract: An outboard motor is provided with an engine having a screw compressor which provides a pressurized charge for the combustion chambers of the engine. The screw compression has first and second screw rotors arranged to rotate about vertical axes which are parallel to the axes of a crankshaft of the engine. A bypass valve regulates the flow of air through a bypass conduit extending from an outlet passage of the screw compressor to the inlet passage of the screw compressor. A charge air cooler is used in a preferred embodiment and the bypass conduit then extends between the cold side plenum of the charge air cooler and the inlet of the compressor. The bypass valve is controlled by an engine control module in order to improve power output from the engine at low engine speeds while avoiding any violation of existing limits on the power of the engine at higher engine speeds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventor: Erik J. Christiansen
  • Patent number: 6295963
    Abstract: A marine engine is made with a head portion that includes an exhaust manifold that is formed as an integral part of the head portion during a lost foam casting procedure. The head portion comprises a plurality of combustion chambers in which each combustion chamber has at least one exhaust throat that connects the combustion chamber in fluid communication with at least one exhaust port. All of the exhaust ports connect associated combustion chambers in fluid communication with an exhaust manifold that is formed integrally within the head portion during the initial lost foam casting process. An exhaust outlet opening from the exhaust manifold is positioned above at least one exhaust port of at least one combustion chamber to form a water trap or stand pipe that inhibits water ingestion under certain adverse conditions. Water passages and oil passages are formed integrally within the head portion during the lost foam casting process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Mark A. Kollock, Erik J. Christiansen
  • Publication number: 20010015182
    Abstract: A single cylinder, internal combustion engine with a dry sump lubrication system. The engine includes an engine housing in which the overhead camshaft and crankshaft are rotatably supported, and the housing includes an integrally formed cylinder and head. A timing belt disposed externally of the engine housing interconnects the crankshaft and camshaft, and a piston connected to the crankshaft reciprocates within an internal bore provided in the engine housing cylinder. The cylinder wall around the internal bore is of a generally uniform thickness and circumscribed by cooling fins such that the cylinder resists bore distortion during operation. Dry sump lubrication is obtained by an external oil reservoir connected to a pump which supplies pressurized oil to the bearing journals of the camshaft. A portion of the oil at the camshaft bearing journals flows through passages provided within the cylinder to lubricate the bearing journals of the crankshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Publication date: August 23, 2001
    Applicant: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: James W. Moorman, Erik J. Christiansen, Roberto Molina, Gar M. Adams
  • Patent number: 6223713
    Abstract: A single cylinder, internal combustion engine with a dry sump lubrication system. The engine includes an engine housing in which the overhead camshaft and crankshaft are rotatably supported, and the housing includes an integrally formed cylinder and head. A timing belt disposed externally of the engine housing interconnects the crankshaft and camshaft, and a piston connected to the crankshaft reciprocates within an internal bore provided in the engine housing cylinder. The cylinder wall around the internal bore is of a generally uniform thickness and circumscribed by cooling fins such that the cylinder resists bore distortion during operation. Dry sump lubrication is obtained by an external oil reservoir connected to a pump which supplies pressurized oil to the bearing journals of the camshaft. A portion of the oil at the camshaft bearing journals flows through passages provided within the cylinder to lubricate the bearing journals of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: James W. Moorman, Erik J. Christiansen, Roberto Molina, Gar M. Adams
  • Patent number: 6032635
    Abstract: A single cylinder, internal combustion engine with a dry sump lubrication system. The engine includes an engine housing in which the overhead camshaft and crankshaft are rotatably supported, and the housing includes an integrally formed cylinder and head. A timing belt disposed externally of the engine housing interconnects the crankshaft and camshaft, and a piston connected to the crankshaft reciprocates within an internal bore provided in the engine housing cylinder. The cylinder wall around the internal bore is of a generally uniform thickness and circumscribed by cooling fins such that the cylinder resists bore distortion during operation. Dry sump lubrication is obtained by an external oil reservoir connected to a pump which supplies pressurized oil to the bearing journals of the camshaft. A portion of the oil at the camshaft bearing journals flows through passages provided within the cylinder to lubricate the bearing journals of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2000
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: James W. Moorman, Erik J. Christiansen, Roberto Molina, Gar M. Adams
  • Patent number: 5988135
    Abstract: A single cylinder, internal combustion engine with an engine housing in which the overhead camshaft and crankshaft are rotatably supported. The housing includes an integrally formed cylinder and head. A timing belt disposed externally of the engine housing interconnects the crankshaft and camshaft, and a piston connected to the crankshaft reciprocates within an internal bore provided in the engine housing cylinder. The cylinder wall around the internal bore is of a generally uniform thickness and circumscribed by cooling fins such that the cylinder resists bore distortion during operation. The inventive engine further provides for the mounting of flywheels within the crankcase cavity in conjunction with an external, lightweight fan for engine housing cooling, as well as employs a cast in valve seat for the overhead valve assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: James W. Moorman, Erik J. Christiansen, Roberto Molina, Gar M. Adams
  • Patent number: 5979392
    Abstract: A single cylinder, internal combustion engine with a dry sump lubrication system. The engine includes an engine housing in which the overhead camshaft and crankshaft are rotatably supported, and the housing includes an integrally formed cylinder and head. A timing belt disposed externally of the engine housing interconnects the crankshaft and camshaft, and a piston connected to the crankshaft reciprocates within an internal bore provided in the engine housing cylinder. The cylinder wall around the internal bore is of a generally uniform thickness and circumscribed by cooling fins such that the cylinder resists bore distortion during operation. Dry sump lubrication is obtained by an external oil reservoir connected to a pump which supplies pressurized oil to the bearing journals of the camshaft. A portion of the oil at the camshaft bearing journals flows through passages provided within the cylinder to lubricate the bearing journals of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: James W. Moorman, Erik J. Christiansen, Roberto Molina, Gar M. Adams
  • Patent number: 5947070
    Abstract: An overhead camshaft internal combustion engine having a plastic camshaft which extends through an opening on the cylinder head, the plastic camshaft having a seal ring disposed around the outer surface of the molded plastic camshaft to provide an interface surface for contacting a seal assembly disposed between the engine casing and the molded plastic camshaft. The seal assembly and the seal ring provide a fluid tight seal to prevent leakage of fluid through the cylinder head opening. The seal ring provides a smooth contact surface for the molded plastic camshaft to prevent wear and damage to the seal assembly from the abrasive surface of the molded plastic camshaft. The seal ring also provides a heat sink for dissipating the frictional heat generated by the rotation of the camshaft. In another form, the plastic camshaft includes a powder metal surface formed thereon. The powder metal surface provides the same benefits as the seal ring, namely protection from wear and dissipation of heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Immel, Erik J. Christiansen
  • Patent number: 5884593
    Abstract: An overhead cam internal combustion engine having a slanted head design which permits the camshaft assembly comprising a camshaft, rocker arms and valve assemblies to be pre-assembled to the head and valve lash to be set off of the main engine assembly line. The slanted head design allows the chain sprocket and timing chain for driving the camshaft to be installed thereon after the head has been assembled to the engine block, accommodating the easy installation of the timing chain. L-shaped rocker arms, mounted on a single shaft, follow a single lobe overhead camshaft. Each rocker arm actuates a valve located on the side of the camshaft opposite that which it follows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1999
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Thomas A. Immel, Erik J. Christiansen
  • Patent number: 5755194
    Abstract: A single cylinder, internal combustion engine with a dry sump lubrication system. The engine includes an engine housing in which the overhead camshaft and crankshaft are rotatably supported, and the housing includes an integrally formed cylinder and head. A timing belt disposed externally of the engine housing interconnects the crankshaft and camshaft, and a piston connected to the crankshaft reciprocates within an internal bore provided in the engine housing cylinder. The cylinder wall around the internal bore is of a generally uniform thickness and circumscribed by cooling fins such that the cylinder resists bore distortion during operation. Dry sump lubrication is obtained by an external oil reservoir connected to a pump which supplies pressurized oil to the bearing journals of the camshaft. A portion of the oil at the camshaft bearing journals flows through passages provided within the cylinder to lubricate the bearing journals of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: James W. Moorman, Erik J. Christiansen, Roberto Molina, Gar M. Adams