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 automatic compression release mechanism for in an internal combustion engine, includes a camshaft assembly including a cam gear, a cam lobe with a notch positioned along a first side of the gear, a tube passing through the cam gear and aligned with the notch, and a support on a second side of the cam gear. An actuator assembly includes a contoured shaft that extends through the tube and resides in the notch. The actuator assembly is rotatable between two operating orientations and a step formed in the surface of the notch prevents the actuator from becoming disabled during engine shut down.

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: 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.