Abstract: A journal of a crankshaft is rotatably supported by a journal-supporting portion of a cylinder block and a bearing cap. An arcuate oil guide groove is defined in a side face of the bearing cap, and coils which are portions of a stator of a generator or motor are fitted into an oil guide groove. Oil flowing down from an oil return passage provided in the cylinder block and oil flowing down from a blow-by gas passage, flow downwards from an upper end of the oil guide groove and return through an opening to an oil pan. In this process, the oil is brought into contact with the coils to cool the stator. Therefore, even if the stator is located above the oil stored in the oil pan, the stator having a raised temperature can be cooled efficiently, to thereby prevent degradation of the performance of the generator or motor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (E) includes a crankshaft (5), and a bearing cap (8) supporting the crankshaft (5) for rotation. Permanent magnets (20) serving as magnetic field creating members are attached to the balance weights (W1a to W6a) formed integrally with the webs (W1 to W6) of the crankshaft (5). Coils (21) are attached to the bearing cap bodies (A1 to A4) of the bearing cap (8). The permanent magnets (20) and the coils (21) form electromechanical transducers (M1 to M6). A small gap can be formed and maintained between the permanent magnets (20) and the corresponding coils (21) with reliability without entailing substantial increase in the size of the internal combustion engine. The electromechanical transducers (M1 to M6)are controlled according to the operating mode of the internal combustion engine so as to serve as electric motors or generators.

Abstract: A journal of a crankshaft is rotatably supported by a journal-supporting portion of a cylinder block and a bearing cap. An arcuate oil guide groove is defined in a side face of the bearing cap, and coils which are portions of a stator of a generator or motor are fitted into an oil guide groove. Oil flowing down from an oil return passage provided in the cylinder block and oil flowing down from a blow-by gas passage, flow downwards from an upper end of the oil guide groove and return through an opening to an oil pan. In this process, the oil is brought into contact with the coils to cool the stator. Therefore, even if the stator is located above the oil stored in the oil pan, the stator having a raised temperature can be cooled efficiently, to thereby prevent degradation of the performance of the generator or motor.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine (E) includes a crankshaft (5), and a bearing cap (8) supporting the crankshaft (5) for rotation. Permanent magnets (20) serving as magnetic field creating members are attached to the balance weights (W1a to W6a) formed integrally with the webs (W1 to W6) of the crankshaft (5). Coils (21) are attached to the bearing cap bodies (A1 to A4) of the bearing cap (8). The permanent magnets (20) and the coils (21) form electromechanical transducers (M1 to M6). A small gap can be formed and maintained between the permanent magnets (20) and the corresponding coils (21) with reliability without entailing substantial increase in the size of the internal combustion engine. The electromechanical transducers (M1 to M6)are controlled according to the operating mode of the internal combustion engine so as to serve as electric motors or generators.

Abstract: There is provided a balancing device for a four-cycle V-type eight-cylinder engine having a bank gap angle of 90 degrees, characterized by provision on a common rotating shaft (balance shafts 81, 82 as described in the mode for carrying out the invention) a part (an equivalent inertia mass P in the mode for carrying out the invention) for generating a first inertia force for offsetting a residual secondary inertia force from piston systems and a part (equivalent inertia masses VH, VV as described in the mode for carrying out the invention) for generating a second inertia force for offsetting a residual inertia force from valve systems. According to this construction, since balancing devices for piston and valve systems can be integrated into one unit, there is involved no complexity in construction.

Abstract: A component fitting structure includes a component fitting hole (25) formed across mated faces between a cylinder head (4) and chain cover (24), and a collar (26) fitted in the component fitting hole through a liquid gasket, a tensioner unit 21a being engaged with the collar. Because the component fitting portion extends across the mated faces the members themselves can be made smaller in size. Further, since the collar can be attached in advance to one of these members before they are mated together, the fitting portion of the component can be easily observed visually. Further, the component can be removed without separating the two members from each other.

Abstract: In an engine crankcase ventilation system, a blowby gas passage and a fresh air passage are defined between adjoining crankcase members so as to extend in parallel with a crankshaft axial line along either side of a lower part of said crankcase assembly. Because the crankcase is configured to receive the rotating crankshaft provided with counterweights, it necessarily has a circular cross section. Therefore, this arrangement allows effective utilization of the available space. Thus, a cavity of a required volume for effective oil separation and pressure pulsation damping can be formed in the engine main body without increasing the number of components parts, and without complicating or increasing the size of the overall structure.

Abstract: A balancer device for a four-cycle V-type eight cylinder engine having a bank included angle of 90 degrees, including: a crankshaft, a cylinder block having an upper block and a lower block divided from a horizontal plane passing through a center of the crankshaft and balancer shafts. Each of the upper and lower blocks defines a bearing hole in such a manner that an axis thereof extends in parallel with the crankshaft, the bearing holes of the upper and lower blocks being located at positions symmetrical with respect to the dividing plane; and balancer shafts supported to the bearing holes.

Abstract: First and second gears are interposed, respectively, between first and second endless power transmission belts each for driving a camshaft of a cylinder head of each of V-shaped cylinder banks and a crankshaft 7. A pair of balancer shafts are provided at symmetrical positions with respect to a separating plane acting as a center therebetween where an upper block and a lower block of a cylinder block are separated from each other from a horizontal plane passing through a center of the crankshaft in such a manner that axes of the pair of balancer shafts become parallel with the crank shaft. The crankshaft and the balancer shaft on the lower block side are connected to each other by means of a third endless power transmission belt. The balancer shafts are connected to each other by means of third gears, so that the pair of balancer shafts are driven to rotate in the opposite directions.

Abstract: A reduction in size and weight of an engine block is achieved by the described balancer shaft arrangement in which the balancer shaft bearing balancer weights at opposite ends is rotatably mounted in a pipe member fixedly attached to an exterior wall of the engine block. The balancer shaft contains an axial opening which communicates with the lubricating oil supply system of the engine in order to conduct lubricating oil to associated parts of the arrangement.