Patents by Inventor Kaoru Okui
Kaoru Okui 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).
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Patent number: 6405702Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, at least one camshaft, a balancer shaft and a timing drive for driving the camshaft and the balancer shaft from the crankshaft. The balancer shaft has a drive member that is interposed in the timing drive and a torsional vibration damper that is interposed between this drive member and the balancer masses on the balancer shaft to avoid transmission of crankshaft vibrations to the balancer shaft without effecting the valve timing. balancer shaft is provided that has at least offset balance masses formed thereon. The balancer shaft is also formed with integral bearings directly on opposite sides of each of the balance masses.Type: GrantFiled: March 16, 2001Date of Patent: June 18, 2002Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tomotaka Takano, Kaoru Okui, Yasuyuki Matsuno
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Patent number: 6367435Abstract: Several embodiments of variable valve timing mechanisms for an internal combustion engine wherein the timing of two valves associated with the same combustion chamber of the engine may be driven at the same time interval and at the same speed from the engine output shaft and both valves may have their timing adjusted simultaneously by a first variable valve timing mechanism and only one of the valves may have its timing adjusted relative to the other valve by a second variable valve timing mechanism to provide a simpler operational control and lower cost assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2001Date of Patent: April 9, 2002Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kaoru Okui, Masahiro Uchida
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Publication number: 20010025612Abstract: Several embodiments of variable valve timing mechanisms for an internal combustion engine wherein the timing of two valves associated with the same combustion chamber of the engine may be driven at the same time interval and at the same speed from the engine output shaft and both valves may have their timing adjusted simultaneously by a first variable valve timing mechanism and only one of the valves may have its timing adjusted relative to the other valve by a second variable valve timing mechanism to provide a simpler operational control and lower cost assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2001Publication date: October 4, 2001Inventors: Kaoru Okui, Masahiro Uchida
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Publication number: 20010023676Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, at least one camshaft, a balancer shaft and a timing drive for driving the camshaft and the balancer shaft from the crankshaft. The balancer shaft has a drive member that is interposed in the timing drive and a torsional vibration damper that is interposed between this drive member and the balancer masses on the balancer shaft to avoid transmission of crankshaft vibrations to the balancer shaft without effecting the valve timing. balancer shaft is provided that has at least offset balance masses formed thereon. The balancer shaft is also formed with integral bearings directly on opposite sides of each of the balance masses.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 16, 2001Publication date: September 27, 2001Inventors: Tomotaka Takano, Kaoru Okui, Yasuyuki Matsuno
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Patent number: 6250266Abstract: Several embodiments of variable valve timing mechanisms for an internal combustion engine wherein the timing of two valves associated with the same combustion chamber of the engine may be driven at the same time interval and at the same speed from the engine output shaft and both valves may have their timing adjusted simultaneously by a first variable valve timing mechanism and only one of the valves may have its timing adjusted relative to the other valve by a second variable valve timing mechanism to provide a simpler operational control and lower cost assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 1999Date of Patent: June 26, 2001Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kaoru Okui, Masahiro Uchida
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Patent number: 5715784Abstract: An in-line type multi-cylinder, double overhead cam, internal combustion engine having a balancer shaft arrangement that is driven directly off the crankshaft at a point intermediate of the ends of the crankshaft. To permit a more compact engine assembly, the balancer shaft also functions as an accessory drive shaft for driving a number of accessories including the camshafts of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 1996Date of Patent: February 10, 1998Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kaoru Okui, Kenichi Sakurai
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Patent number: 5257674Abstract: A vehicle and drive unit therefor including a transversely disposed engine located in an engine compartment. The engine is of the dry sump lubrication type and has a lubricant reservoir that extends between the cylinders and an air inlet opening to the engine compartment. The cylinders are inclined to the rear from a vertical plane at an acute angle and the engine crankshaft drives an output shaft that rotates in a plane disposed at an acute angle to the vertical and forwardly of the cylinder axis and at an acute angle to the cylinder axis. The oil scavenge and pressure pumps are driven from this shaft as are the front wheel axles which lie on the opposite side of the plane containing the cylinder axis from the output shaft axis.Type: GrantFiled: February 16, 1993Date of Patent: November 2, 1993Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kaoru Okui, Manabu Kobayashi
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Patent number: 5240088Abstract: A vehicle and drive unit therefor including a transversely disposed engine located in an engine compartment. The engine is of the dry sump lubrication type and has a lubricant reservoir that extends between the cylinders and an air inlet opening to the engine compartment. The cylinders are inclined to the rear from a vertical plane at an acute angle and the engine crankshaft drives an output shaft that rotates in a plane disposed at an acute angle to the vertical and forwardly of the cylinder axis and at an acute angle to the cylinder axis. The oil scavenge and pressure pumps are driven from this shaft as are the front wheel axles which lie on the opposite side of the plane containing the cylinder axis from the output shaft axis.Type: GrantFiled: June 1, 1990Date of Patent: August 31, 1993Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kaoru Okui, Manabu Kobayashi
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Patent number: 5184582Abstract: Several embodiments of power units particularly adapted for transverse engine operation for driving the wheels of a motor vehicle. In all of the embodiments, the axles are disposed on one side of the engine and a change speed transmission is located on the other side of the engine. The change speed transmission is driven from a gearing arrangement located between the ends of the crankshaft and in some embodiments torsional vibration dampers are included in the drive for the charge speed transmission. Vibration dampers are affixed to one or both ends of the crankshaft in some embodiments and an auxiliary shaft is driven from the transmission primary shaft for operating the camshafts of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: January 10, 1992Date of Patent: February 9, 1993Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kaoru Okui, Manabu Kobayashi
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Patent number: 5154144Abstract: A vehicle and drive unit therefor including a transversely disposed engine located in an engine compartment. The cylinders are inclined to the rear from a vertical plane at an acute angle and the engine crankshaft drives an accessory output shaft that rotates in a plane disposed in an acute angle to the vertical and forwardly of the cylinder axis and at an acute angle to the cylinder axis. A two-stage camshaft drive arrangement is provided for driving a pair of overhead mounted camshafts and the two stages of this drive include flexible transmitters that are disposed on opposite sides of one of the cylinders so as to provide a compact assembly. An intermediate shaft is driven by this drive arrangement and is supported at one side of the cylinder head. One of the drives is disposed between a pair of ports in this side of the cylinder head and this drive is accessible through a removable cover plate positioned between the ports.Type: GrantFiled: October 18, 1991Date of Patent: October 13, 1992Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kaoru Okui, Manabu Kobayashi
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Patent number: 5099945Abstract: Several embodiments of power units particularly adapted for transverse engine operation for driving the wheels of a motor vehicle. In all of the embodiments, the axles are disposed on one side of the engine and a change speed transmission is located on the other side of the engine. The change speed transmissiion is driven from a gearing arrangement located between the ends of the crankshaft and in some embodiments torsional vibration dampers are included in the drive for the change speed transmission. Vibration dampers are affixed to one or both ends of the crankshaft in some embodiments and an auxiliary shaft is driven from the transmission primary shaft for operating the camshafts of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1990Date of Patent: March 31, 1992Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kaoru Okui, Manabu Kobayashi
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Patent number: 5063897Abstract: A vehicle and drive unit therefor including a transversely disposed engine located in an engine compartment. The cylinders are inclined to the rear from a vertical plane at an acute angle and the engine crankshaft drives an accessory shaft that rotates in a plane disposed at an acute angle to the vertical and forwardly of the cylinder axis and at an acute angle to the cylinder axis. Accessories are driven from this accessory shaft as are the front wheel axles which lie on the opposite side of the plane containing the cylinder axis from the output shaft axis. The accessory drive is disposed inwardly of the ends of the engine so as to provide a compact body and the engine body is recessed to receive the accessory drive so as to minimize the distance between the accessory shaft and the engine crankshaft.Type: GrantFiled: July 5, 1990Date of Patent: November 12, 1991Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kaoru Okui, Manabu Kobayashi
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Patent number: 5050701Abstract: A motor vehicle having a transversely positioned engine in a forwardly disposed engine compartment. The exhaust manifold is formed rearwardly of the engine and supplies exhaust gases to a catalyzer so that the engine will shield the exhaust manifold and catalyzer from cooling air flow. An intake manifold extends forwardly from the engine and engine accessories are disposed beneath the intake manifold and forwardly of the cylinders of the engine so as to shield the occupants of the vehicle from the noise of the accessories. In addition, a crushable plenum chamber extends across the front of the intake manifold and forwardly of the accessories for silencing and also to absorb impacts. The crushability of the plenum chamber causes it to slow the engine on impact for further safety protection.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1989Date of Patent: September 24, 1991Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kaoru Okui, Manabu Kobayashi
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Patent number: 5024287Abstract: Several embodiments of power units particularly adapted for transverse engine operation for driving the wheels of a motor vehicle. In all of the embodiments, the axles are disposed on one side of the engine and a change speed transmission is located on the other side of the engine. The change speed transmission is driven from a gearing arrangement located between the ends of the crankshaft and in some embodiments torsional vibration dampers are included in the drive for the change speed transmission. Vibration dampers are affixed to one or both ends of the crankshaft in some embodiments and an auxiliary shaft is driven from the transmission primary shaft for operating the camshafts of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1988Date of Patent: June 18, 1991Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Kaoru Okui, Manabu Kobayashi
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Patent number: 4993374Abstract: A motor vehicle power unit comprised of a transversely disposed in-line cylinder block inclined rearwardly. A crankshaft is contained within a dry sump crankcase positioned between the cylinder block and drives and output shaft through an intermediate gear. The output shaft and crankshaft define a plane that intersects a plane defined by the cylinder bores and crankshaft. A dry sump oil reservoir is positioned between these planes and the output shaft has a pulley that drives a plurality of engine accessories that lie forwardly of and over the cylinder block.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 1990Date of Patent: February 19, 1991Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kaoru Okui
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Patent number: 4915070Abstract: A motor vehicle power unit comprised of a transversely disposed in-line cylinder block inclined rearwardly. A crankshaft is contained within a dry sump crankcase positioned between the cylinder block and drives and output shaft through an intermediate gear. The output shaft and crankshaft define a plane that intersects a plane defined by the cylinder bores and crankshaft. A dry sump oil reservoir is positioned between these planes and the output shaft has a pulley that drives a plurality of engine accessories that lie forwardly of and over the cylinder block.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 1988Date of Patent: April 10, 1990Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Kaoru Okui