Patents by Inventor William H. Atkinson

William H. Atkinson 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: 8256405
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a breather assembly for use in an internal combustion engine and a method of operating an internal combustion engine. In at least one embodiment, the breather assembly includes an input chamber for receiving blow-by gas, the input chamber bounded at least partially by a crankcase exterior, and a standpipe situated inside the input chamber for directing blow-by gas into the input chamber. Additionally, the breather assembly can include an input drainback passage situated inside the input chamber and an output chamber situated adjacent the input chamber, the chamber having an inner wall with a one-way valve that allows blow-by gas to flow from the input chamber to the output chamber. The breather assembly can also include an output drainback aperture situated in the inner wall and an output chamber housing that substantially encloses the output chamber and includes an exhaust port for exhausting blow-by gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Kohler Co.
    Inventors: William H. Atkinson, Dean M. Nelson
  • Publication number: 20090308365
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a breather assembly for use in an internal combustion engine and a method of operating an internal combustion engine. In at least one embodiment, the breather assembly includes an input chamber for receiving blow-by gas, the input chamber bounded at least partially by a crankcase exterior, and a standpipe situated inside the input chamber for directing blow-by gas into the input chamber. Additionally, the breather assembly can include an input drainback passage situated inside the input chamber and an output chamber situated adjacent the input chamber, the chamber having an inner wall with a one-way valve that allows blow-by gas to flow from the input chamber to the output chamber. The breather assembly can also include an output drainback aperture situated in the inner wall and an output chamber housing that substantially encloses the output chamber and includes an exhaust port for exhausting blow-by gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: William H. Atkinson, Dean M. Nelson
  • Patent number: 7270111
    Abstract: A common engine speed control mechanism for small internal combustion engines, which may be configured to allow for actuation of the speed control mechanism between stop, idle, and various engine running speed positions by actuation of one of a selected plurality of speed control levers. Each of the plurality of speed control levers is oriented so that it is movable in a direction which is substantially non-parallel to the direction of movement of the other speed control levers. In one embodiment, the actuation of the common speed control mechanism can be accomplished by movement of a first speed control lever in a substantially horizontal, side-to-side direction or by movement of a second speed control lever in a substantially vertical, up-and-down direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventors: Anthony F. Grybush, James G. Leu, Stephen T. Davis, William H. Atkinson