Patents by Inventor Martin W. Heinrich

Martin W. Heinrich 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: 5873334
    Abstract: An exhaust valve system for internal combustion engine. The engine includes a cylinder having an exhaust port with an axial extent along the axis of the cylinder structure. An exhaust port valve is mounted adjacent to the exhaust port and is adjustable between a full-flow position, in which the exhaust port valve exposes the exhaust port throughout its axial extent, and a restricting position, in which the exhaust port valve restricts the axial extent of the exhaust port. A valve control module is connected to the exhaust port valve and functions to adjust the exhaust port valve between the full-flow and restricting positions in response to the cylinder bore gas pressure. At low speeds and low output conditions, the valve is in its restricting position. As the cylinder develops higher pressures at higher speeds and under higher output conditions, the valve control module moves the valve to its full-flow position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Martin W. Heinrich
  • Patent number: 5033433
    Abstract: A method of attaching a stepper motor to a throttle shaft provides constant torque transmission by connecting the shafts coaxially with a coupling that accommodates limited shaft misalignment and movement. In the preferred embodiment, the coupling comprises a fork, parallel to, and attached to, one shaft that receives a pin, perpendicular to, and attached to, the second shaft. The coupling permits the coaxial attachment of the shaft without the necessity of maintaining precise mounting tolerances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Jonathan D. Churchill, Martin W. Heinrich, Matthew F. Slana
  • Patent number: 4918343
    Abstract: A brushless alternator for an engine-generator set has a housing for mounting to the engine. Raised ribs define an internal bore of the housing, the bore having a constant diameter to mount the stator and the exciter field assembly, both of which have the same laminations. The ribs also define cooling air flow paths through the housing. A fan is mounted outside of the housing at the free end of the housing to draw air into the engine end, through the housing and out the free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Assignee: Kohler CO.
    Inventors: Martin W. Heinrich, James A. Ten Hoven
  • Patent number: 4871922
    Abstract: An enclosure for an engine and a generator which is adapted to be positioned in the front of a motor vehicle and adjacent an inlet for the coolng air of the vehicle engine. A housing encloses both an engine and a generator, and there are separate air inlet openings and air outlets for the engine and the generator. In a preferred manner the air outlet duct for the engine extends to the outside of a motor vehicle and laterally thereof with the air outlet adapted to accommodate an exhaust pipe for a generator engine. Also preferably the air inlet and outlet for the generator are disposed at a 90 degree angle from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 3, 1989
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Martin W. Heinrich, Donald R. Fischer
  • Patent number: 4733750
    Abstract: An acoustical enclosure for a marine engine generator set includes a squirrel cage fan powered mechanically by the engine and mounted over a large opening in an end of the enclosure. Air inlets are provided to admit external air into the enclosure. A large air flow results, allowing the generator to be operated at full capacity, even at elevated ambient temperatures. Noise is prevented from escaping out of the opening in the end of the enclosure by having the fan placed directly over the opening, where the solid plate of the squirrel cage fan reflects a portion of the noise back into the enclosure where it is absorbed by sound absorbing material lining the inside of the enclosure. A fan duct surrounds the fan and a cover is placed over the duct. The cover is also lined with sound absorbing material to further attenuate any noise not reflected back by the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Randall J. Poirier, Scott J. Haugstad, Martin W. Heinrich
  • Patent number: 4677940
    Abstract: A compact generator unit including a cooling system in which the engine and generator are mounted at points outside of the perimeter of the generator fan such that the generator fan serves to cool both the generator and the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Bracht, Martin W. Heinrich, Richard D. Van Maaren, Richard L. Sleder