Abstract: A valve train in an internal combustion engine, and a method of adjusting the valve timing setting of a valve in such a valve train, are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to an engine that includes a crankcase with a cylinder, a valve, a push rod, and a rocker arm supported by the crankcase and coupling the valve to the push rod. The internal combustion engine further includes a cam rotatably supported by the crankcase, and a cam follower arm having first and second ends and, proximate the second end, having bottom and top surfaces. The cam follower arm is rotatably supported by the crankcase about a pivot point proximate the first end. The bottom surface proximate the second end slidingly interfaces the cam, and the top surface proximate the second end interfaces the push rod.

Abstract: An air filter and corresponding filter element for use in an internal combustion engine are disclosed. The filter element has a seal bead made of an elastomeric material that forms the frame of the filter element. A pleat block, made of a filter media, is molded into the seal bead in a first area of the filter element and a baffle is located in a second area of the filter element to protect the pleat block from wetting. A channel is formed in one side of the seal bead which allows the filter element to be retained during assembly without the use of fasteners and a surface is formed opposite the seal bead that in conjunction with the channel seals the filter element within the air filter when the air filter is fully assembled. The air filter has an intake silencing chamber that is located to receive outside air before it is provided to the pleat block and a sealed flow path is created from the intake silencing chamber to the pleat block by a third area of the filter element.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine, and method of distributing lubricant within an internal combustion engine, are disclosed. The internal combustion engine includes a crankcase having a floor, a pump supported by the floor, and a camshaft. The pump includes an inlet and an outlet. The camshaft has a cam, first and second camshaft ends, and an internal channel extending within the camshaft between the ends. The first end is supported by the pump or the floor. Rotation of the camshaft causes the pump to draw in lubricant via the inlet and to pump out at least some of the lubricant via the outlet. The outlet is positioned in proximity to the internal channel at the first camshaft end, so that at least some of the lubricant is pumped into the channel.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a cross-flow cylinder head with improved cooling. The cylinder head includes a pivotally mounted intake rocker arm which engages an intake push rod located proximal a first side of the cylinder head, and includes a pivotally mounted exhaust rocker arm which engages an exhaust push rod located proximal a second side of the cylinder head which is opposite to the first side of the cylinder head.

Abstract: A balance system and method for balancing piston forces within a single cylinder internal combustion engine are disclosed. The balance system includes a crankshaft, a counterbalance assembly and a groove. The crankshaft includes a crankshaft portion, a crank arm, a crank pin, and a eccentric flange adjacent to the crank arm. The counterbalance assembly has a counterbalancing mass portion and a coupling arm that are fixed with respect to one another, and a pin that protrudes from a side of the counterbalancing mass portion. The coupling arm is supported by the eccentric flange. The groove is capable of receiving the pin, where the pin is capable of sliding along the groove and also rotating within the groove, so that the counterbalance assembly is capable of rotating while moving toward and away from the crankshaft.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cooling apparatus for use with a liquid cooled vertical shaft internal combustion engine with a centrifugal fan having a central axis which is driven by the engine vertical shaft. A radiator having a coolant passing therethrough encircles the fan for an improved heat transfer rate. An air duct channels cooling air expelled by the fan toward the radiator to cool the coolant.

Abstract: A V-type engine having a crankcase with a face, and cylinders arranged so as to form a V space therebetween. Pistons slidably mounted in the cylinders rotatably drive a crankshaft. The crankshaft is rotatably mounted in the crankcase at the junction of the V and has one end extending through the crankcase face. A timing gear engaged by the crankshaft rotatably drives a camshaft rotatably mounted in the crankcase. The camshaft extends through the crankcase face and has a sprocket mounted thereon which engages a drive belt. The drive belt rotatably drives a coolant pump interposed between the crankcase face and flywheel. The coolant pump has a pump cavity which is formed as an integral part of the crankcase face, and an impeller shaft with a rotational axis arranged substantially parallel to the crankshaft outside of the V space. A flywheel is mounted on the crankshaft end extending through the crankcase face and substantially covers the face and coolant pump.

Abstract: An engine driven generator set includes a vertical shaft engine which rotates a generator rotor and a centrifugal fan mounted above the engine. A plenum collects cooling air blown over generator stator windings by the fan and directs the cooling air through an air duct over the engine cylinder head. Electronic circuitry is cooled by this same cooling air.

Abstract: An oil filtering and cooling device for use with an internal combustion engine is disclosed. It is composed of few components and easily fitted on or retrofitted to an internal combustion engine. In one embodiment, a pressure valve is employed to direct oil away from a cooling function yet allow for filtering thereof. The valve is a reed valve.

Abstract: A fuel pump body has a chamber with one wall formed by an external diaphragm having a stem connected thereto. The fuel pump body is attached to the outside of a valve cover for a gasoline engine and the valve cover has a depression that forms an enclosure for the diaphragm. The stem passes through an aperture in the valve cover and connects to a lever pivotally attached to the underside of the valve cover. The lever engages the valve rocker arm of the engine and produces reciprocal movement of the stem and diaphragm as the rocker arm moves. The reciprocal movement of the diaphragm alternately draws fuel into the chamber through the inlet and that expels fuel through the outlet.