Abstract: A hybrid vehicle employing a parallel hybrid system, using both an internal combustion engine and an electric motor for propulsion, comprises a propulsion mechanism having at least a first electric motor, an internal combustion engine, a clutch, a second electric motor, a transmission, and drive wheels, and constructed so that a crankshaft of the engine and a motor shaft of the first electric motor are connected to an input shaft of the clutch, and that a motor shaft of the second electric motor and an input shaft of the transmission are connected to an output shaft of the clutch to transmit a driving torque from the output shaft of the transmission to the drive wheels. An engine temperature sensor is provided for detecting an engine temperature.

Abstract: A variable valve actuation (VVA) apparatus comprises an eccentric rotary (ER) cam fixed to a driving shaft for rotation therewith, a pivotal valve operating (VO) cam, a rocker arm having a first arm and a second arm, a control rod having an eccentric control cam, and a crank arm. The eccentric control cam supports the rocker arm for pivotal motion. The crank arm interconnects the ER cam and the first arm of the rocker arm. A link interconnects the second arm of the rocker arm and the VO cam.

Abstract: A bearing supporting a crankshaft provided in a connecting rod comprises an overlay in contact with a throw, a metal layer on the outside of the overlay and a back metal on the outside of the metal layer. The hardness of the metal layer is lower than that of the back metal, and the thermal conductivity of the overlay is higher than that of the throw. The metal layer having a lower hardness than the back metal improves the fit of the bearing with the throw, and sharp increase of frictional losses and rise of lubricating oil temperature at high engine rotation speeds are thereby prevented. The overlay having a high thermal conductivity absorbs heat from the minimum thickness oil film formed between the inner surface region of the throw and the bearing, and after the bearing has passed through the minimum thickness oil film, the absorbed heat is again discharged to the lubricating oil.

Abstract: Parameters which are related to the rate at which particulate matter accumulates and is reburnt, are monitored and the time at which a regeneration is required and/or the length of time a regeneration should be induced, are derived based on the same. The temperature at the inlet and outlet of a trap in which particulate matter is accumulated are monitored and measures such as throttling the induction and exhaust are implement in addition to energizing a heater disposed immediately upstream of the trap as required in order to elevate the trap temperature and to induce and maintain the reburning during a trap regeneration. The pressure differential across the trap can be used to determine the amount of incombustible matter (ash) which has accumulated in the trap and to modify the regeneration timing. When the temperature of the exhaust gases cannot be raised sufficiently, a by-pass is opened to attenuate cooling of the trap by the low temperature gases.

Abstract: Parameters which are related to the rate at which particulate matter accumulates and is reburnt, are monitored and the time at which a regeneration is required and/or the length of time a regeneration should be induced, are derived based on the same. The temperature at the inlet and outlet of a trap in which particulate matter is accumulated are monitored and measures such as throttling the induction and exhaust are implemented in addition to energizing a heater disposed immediately upstream of the trap as required in order to elevate the trap temperature and to induce and maintain the reburning during a trap regeneration.The pressure differential across the trap can be used to determine the amount of incombustible matter (ash) which has a accumulated in the trap and to modify the regeneration timing.When the temperature of the exhaust gases cannot be raised sufficiently, a by-pass is opened to attenuate cooling of the trap by the low temperature gases.

Abstract: Parameters which are related to the rate at which particulate matter accumulates and is reburnt, are monitored and the time at which a regeneration is required and/or the length of time a regeneration should be induced, are derived based on the same. The temperature at the inlet and outlet of a trap in which particulate matter is accumulated are monitored and measures such as throttling the induction and exhaust are implement in addition to energizing a heater disposed immediately upstream of the trap as required in order to elevate the trap temperature and to induce and maintain the reburning during a trap regeneration. The pressure differential across the trap can be used to determine the amount of incombustible matter (ash) which has accumulated in the trap and to modify the regeneration timing. When the temperature of the exhaust gases cannot be raised sufficiently, a by-pass is opened to attenuate cooling of the trap by the low temperature gases.

Abstract: Parameters which are related to the rate at which particulate matter accumulates and is reburnt, are monitored and the time at which a regeneration is required and/or the length of time a regeneration should be induced, are derived based on the same. The temperature at the inlet and outlet of a trap in which particulate matter is accumulated are monitored and measures such as throttling the induction and exhaust are implement in addition to energizing a heater disposed immediately upstream of the trap as required in order to elevate the trap temperature and to induce and maintain the reburning during a trap regeneration.

Abstract: In a direct injection diesel engine provided with a fuel injector facing the center of the combustion chamber, a fuel injection pump supplying high pressure fuel to said injector, two air intake ports and two exhaust ports disposed in apposition to one another around said injector as center, air intake valves and exhaust valves which open and close these ports in synchronization with the engine, a swirl control valve installed in one air intake port, and a control means which adjusts the aperture of said control valve depending on the fuel injection pressure, the swirl control valve shuts when the fuel injection pressure is low so as to enhance the swirl of intake air. This promotes conversion of fuel to fine droplets, uses air more efficiently in the combustion and thereby reduces smoke generation. On the other hand, when the injection pressure is high, the swirl control valve opens which increases the charging efficiency and makes it possible to withdraw high power from the engine.

Abstract: A diesel engine having a combustion chamber formed by a cylinder and piston where fuel is injected into the chamber directly, provided with a device to recycle part of the exhaust gas is recycled into the air intake depending on the running condition of the engine, a fuel injection valve which lifts in two stages depending on the fuel pressure, two air intake valves and two exhaust valves disposed around the injection valve. The injection valve is fitted substantially parallel to the cylinder axis facing the center of the combustion chamber and provided with a needle valve which lifts in two stages depending on the fuel pressure in order to spray fuel from an injection nozzle according to the lift of the needle valve. This needle valve is provided with a guide which slides on the inner circumference of the injection nozzle so as to guide the needle valve concentrically with respect to the injection nozzle.

Abstract: In order to improve air-fuel mixture uniformity and enhance charging efficiency during high engine speed operation and to obviate noise produced as hot exhaust gases flow at sonic velocity back into the induction system and the formation of carbon deposits which can induce valve "stick", the inlet valve which controls the induction passage utilized during low engine speed operation is opened before the one which controls the induction passage which is rendered effective during high speed, and with an overlap with the exhaust valve.

Abstract: In order to prevent large amounts of residual gas from remaining in the combustion chamber after the exhaust phase in an engine provided with dual induction arrangement including two inlet valves and corresponding induction ports, air is bled into the port which closed off by a flow control valve during low speed operation so as to obviate the vacuum which tends to develop therein and induct exhaust gas during the exhaust phase.

Abstract: A valve operation changing system of an internal combustion engine, comprises a rocker arm (3, 3') to operate an intake or exhaust valve (2, 11), and a control device (19A, 19B, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26) for axially moving the rocker arm so as to selectively cause the rocker arm (3, 3') to engage with first or second cam (12, 13; 45A, 45B) in accordance with an engine operating condition. The control device includes an actuator having first and second hydraulic pressure chambers (19A, 19B; 50a, 50b) whose pressures move the rocker arm (3, 3') to engage with the first and second cams (12, 13; 45A, 45B), respectively. A flow direction changing valve (23) is provided to selectively supply the first or second hydraulic pressure chambers (19A, 19B; 50a, 50b) with oil from an oil pressure source (21), in accordance with the engine operating condition. A stopper device (26) is provided to restrict the movement of the rocker arm (3, 3').

Abstract: A valve operation changing system of an internal combustion engine, comprises a rocker arm to operate an intake or exhaust valve, and a control device for axially moving the rocker arm so as to selectively cause the rocker arm to engage with first or second cam in accordance with an engine operating condition. The control device includes an actuator having first and second hydraulic pressure chambers whose pressures move the rocker arm to engage with the first and second cams, respectively. A flow direction changing valve is provided to selectively supply the first or second hydraulic pressure chambers with oil from an oil pressure source, in accordance with the engine operating condition.

Abstract: The present invention features a variable valve timing arrangement having a zero valve clearance maintaining device which takes the form of either a springy finger-like extension provided on a valve timing control lever, which extension biases a rocker arm which operates the valve, against the valve stem until the rocker arm has been cammed to pivot by a predetermined amount; or an eccentric bush on which the control lever is mounted and a telescopic hydraulic cylinder arrangement which rotates the bush to press the lever against the rocker arm with a predetermined force adequate for maintain a zero valve clearance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine which may be used for the automobile and the like. The multi-cylinder internal combustion engine comprises at least one cylinder which can be rendered inoperative while the rest of cylinders are operating and a controlling means for closing the intake valve of the cylinder in the inoperative mode and for opening the exhaust valve of the same cylinder on the exhaust and intake strokes.

Abstract: A reaction member located above an angled rocker arm induces the latter to pivot once a telescopically extendible hydraulic tappet, under the influence of a cam, has lifted the rocker arm sufficiently to engage an apex thereof against the reaction member. The tappet includes a piston which defines therein a variable volume chamber into which hydraulic fluid may be readily introduced via a solenoid control valve, but only slowly discharged. The degree of extension of the tappet controls the valve lift induced by the rocker arm.

Abstract: A valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine including a first cam rotatable about an axis in timed relation to the engine speed, a second cam rockable about an axis and operatively engaged with a valve of the engine, a rocker arm rockable about an axis and interposed between said first and second cams to provide operative connection therebetween, and means responsive to varations of engine condition for shifting the axis of rocking movement of said rocker arm relative to said axes of said first and second cams thereby varying the angular position of said second cam independently of that of said first cam whereby valve lift, valve timing and the period during which the valve is open are varied in accordance with the varying operating conditions of the engine.

Abstract: A valve opening control device for use with an internal combustion engine having cam-operated cylinder valves comprises a cam-like member having a cylindrical surface concentric with a shaft about which the member rotates and a cam-like section extending tangentially therefrom. The control device shaft is positioned parallel to and adjacent a rocker arm shaft or otherwise perpendicular to the axis of travel of the cylinder valve and/or the plane defined by such axis of travel and the plane of travel of a cylinder valve rocker arm for such valve. The valve opening control device transmits an opening force from the rotating engine camshaft for a distance which is progressively proportional to the distance the valve lifter travels in response to the rotating engine camshaft.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable valve timing system for an internal combustion engine which cyclically opens and closes a port providing fluid communication between a combustion chamber and a conduit leading thereto and which delays the closure of the port in response to a signal indicative of the power output required of the engine in order to vary the ratio of the mass of fluid inducted into the chamber to the mass of fluid expelled from said chamber during the period the port is open so that the mass of fluid retained in the chamber after closure of the port can be controlled without the use of a throttle valve.

Abstract: A valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine comprises a first cam rotatable about an axis in timed relation to the engine speed, a rocker arm operatively engaged with the valve of the engine and rockable to open and control closing of said valve, a second cam rockable about an axis parallel to the axis of said first cam and interposed between the first cam and the rocker arm to provide an operative connection therebetween, the first and second cams having mating cam faces which taper axially thereof, and means for shifting one of the first and second cams axially thereof relative to the other thereby varying the angular position of the second cam independently of that of the first cam in response to variation of the engine operating condition whereby valve lift, valve timing and the period during which the valve is open are varied in accordance with the varying operating conditions of the engine.