Including Clutch Patents (Class 123/197.5)
  • Publication number: 20140352653
    Abstract: In some aspects, a power delivery device configured to couple to a reciprocating element of a reciprocating engine is configured to couple to a power output element via a substantially steady, invariant (e.g., constant) moment arm in order to generate increased torque and power.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Sanders
  • Publication number: 20140283782
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a crankshaft is described. The crankshaft includes a main shaft and an axially offset crank pin with each end of the crank pin connected to the main shaft by a respective crank arm. The apparatus includes at least a first piston. A connecting frame is attached to the first piston, and the first piston is configured to alternately drive the connecting frame in reciprocating motion. A hub is rotatably mounted within the connecting frame with the hub defining a channel therein, and the crank pin is disposed within the channel. The apparatus also includes a locking mechanism that has a locked state in which the hub is prevented by the locking mechanism from rotating within the connecting frame and has an unlocked state in which the hub may freely rotate within the connecting frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Achim H. HEDRICH
  • Patent number: 8839760
    Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a crankshaft is described. The crankshaft includes a main shaft and an axially offset crank pin connected to the main shaft. The apparatus includes a first piston that alternately drives an attached connecting frame in reciprocating motion. A hub is rotatably mounted within the connecting frame with the hub defining a channel and the crank pin disposed therein. The apparatus includes a locking mechanism with a locked state in which the hub is prevented from rotating and an unlocked state in which the hub freely rotates. The reciprocating motion of the first piston and the connecting frame imparts reciprocating travel of the crank pin between ends of the channel and consequent rotation of the main shaft in the locked state; while the crankshaft and the hub rotate freely in the unlocked state, with the first piston and the connecting frame in a stationary position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventor: Achim H. Hedrich
  • Patent number: 8807112
    Abstract: A piston rolling thrust bearing construction is constituted of a pair of bearing plates with opposing faces disposed in a spaced alignment with a rolling ball assembly positioned between the opposing faces to support relative movement between the bearing plates. The piston rolling thrust bearing is mounted to the open end of the skirt of a piston disposed in a cylinder to compensate for non-axial motion relative to the cylinder axis due to the articulating motions of connecting elements or any structural misalignments within an engine drive train assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Achates Power, Inc.
    Inventors: James U. Lemke, Patrick R. Lee, William B. McHargue, Bryant A. Wagner
  • Patent number: 8783224
    Abstract: Included may be a crankshaftless internal combustion engine, including a power shaft unit in which a transferring path of a power system may be selected depending on a deactivated state and an activated state of a cylinder, a cylinder separator separating a power system of the deactivated cylinder from the power shaft unit by control of an ECU operated by a deactivated cylinder and an activated cylinder, and a compression changing unit varying a compression ratio of the activated cylinder in multistage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Wonjin Jo, Hyunjun Hong, Youngjic Kim, Kimin Park, Jerok Chun
  • Patent number: 8671906
    Abstract: A clutch actuator mounting structure for internal combustion engine has excellent maintainability such that clutch actuator maintenance and the like can be carried out without dismounting an engine case. The clutch actuator mounting structure for an internal combustion engine includes, in the engine case, a power transmission mechanism designed to transmit rotational power of a crankshaft to an output shaft through a shift clutch and a transmission. The engine case is formed with a clutch actuator containing part in which a clutch actuator for engaging/disengaging the shift clutch is contained. The clutch actuator containing part has a clutch actuator mounting/dismounting port through which to mount and dismount the clutch actuator. The clutch actuator mounting/dismounting port is formed to be exposed to the exterior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Fujimoto, Kinya Mizuno, Yoshiaki Tsukada
  • Patent number: 8584652
    Abstract: Fuel injection valves 3 each inserted into injection valve mounting holes 2 are fixed to cylinder head 1 through bifurcated clamps 21. Clamps 21 each include base portion 22 brought into abut contact with and supported on middle bolt 14a which is disposed at the middle portion of cam bracket 13, bifurcated tip end portion 23 pressing fuel injection valve 3, and intermediate portion 24 fastened by bolt 25 having a tip end portion which is screwed into cylinder head 1. Four clamps 21 are arranged on a straight line along a direction of a row of cylinders. Respective clamps 21 corresponding to cylinders #1 and #2 and respective clamps 21 corresponding to cylinders #3 and #4 are arranged symmetrically with each other such that base portions 22 are disposed on an outside. Core supporting hole 31 is disposed at a central portion of cylinder head 1 which is free from coverage by clamp 21. With this construction, it is possible to effectively release gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hironao Netsu, Takuya Taniguchi
  • Publication number: 20130269634
    Abstract: Improvements in a combustion engine performance and reduced temperature of the combustion engine therefore resulting in an increase in the brake thermal efficiency where the pistons move linearly within the combustion cylinder. A pair of one-way clutches is used to convert the reciprocating linear motion into rotary motion without a crank shaft and without friction or power loss in the engine. High pressure oil is used to intercool the piston and the cylinder walls and is used for lubricating the piston ring. This configuration will improve the engine efficiency and reduce emission and result in a low cost engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Mustafa REZ
  • Patent number: 8464671
    Abstract: The horizontally opposed center fired engine improves on the traditional design of the horizontally opposed engines and center fired engines with a better engine geometry. The present invention utilizes four pairs of opposing pistons to compress a larger volume of air-fuel mixture within four different cylinders. The four different cylinders are radially positioned around a center axle in order to achieve a perfectly symmetric engine geometry. The center axle consists of two different shafts spinning in two different directions, which could drastically reduce engine vibrations in the present invention. Engine vibrations are caused by a change in engine speed and result in a loss of energy. Due to the design, the present invention will only experience energy loss in the form of entropy and friction. Thus, the present invention can convert a higher percentage of chemical energy into mechanical energy than any other internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Bo Zhou
  • Patent number: 8245686
    Abstract: This invention discloses a non-crankshaft engine which includes the body, the cylinder head on top of the body, and the cylinder inside it. A piston intersecting with one end of a connecting rod is set in the cylinder. In the middle of the chassis where the engine body is set on, there is the basic shaft which intersects with one or more crossbars perpendicularly in way of either fixed joint or swing joint. On the crossbar is installed symmetrically on either side of the axis of the basic shaft a fixing set. It connects with the other end of the connecting rod through a swing joint. Every fixing set is joined by one or two connecting rods linked with the piston. The above structure of basic shaft, crossbar and connecting rod will result in strong explosion pressure that can produce great moment of force, and thus give the utmost work. Therefore, this invention has the advantages of high working efficiency, low energy-consumption, and is expected to produce minimum environmental pollution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Huarong Xia
  • Patent number: 8166933
    Abstract: A power unit for a small-sized vehicle that includes a valve operating system equipped with a hydraulic valve operation mode change mechanism capable of changing the operational mode of an engine valve, and a clutch device disposed between a crankshaft and a shift mechanism so as to switch hydraulically between connection and disconnection of power transmission, wherein a discharge outlet of one oil pump (209) driven by power transmission from the crankshaft is connected in common to a valve operation mode change mechanisms (63, 64) and a clutch device (102). This enables the hydraulic system to be made compact while avoiding any increase in the overall bulk of the power unit, thus providing a power unit suitable for a small-sized vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasushi Fujimoto, Atsushi Ogasawara
  • Patent number: 8074619
    Abstract: An engine arrangement comprising a first assembly including a first piston in a first cylinder interconnected with a second assembly including a second piston in a second cylinder. Each of the first and second assemblies include an inlet valve for supplying a fuel mixture, and an outlet valve for removing exhaust gases. The first and second assemblies being adapted for cooperation with a gear unit to convert a translation movement into a rotary movement. The engine arrangement so includes two additional assemblies including a third piston in a third cylinder interconnected with a fourth piston in a fourth cylinder and associated valves. The two additional assemblies being adapted for cooperation with the gear unit to convert a translation movement into a rotary movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: Harju Linearwandler AB
    Inventor: Bert Harju
  • Publication number: 20110220056
    Abstract: A primary drive gear 10 is configured so as to have its position changed, by mounting the primary drive gear 10 in an axial direction within a length range of a crankshaft so as to displace a toothed portion 12 of said primary drive gear 10 in the axial direction of said crankshaft in response to a boss portion 13 integrally provided on said toothed portion 12 of said primary drive gear 10 so that said primary drive gear 10 is registered with a position in the axial direction of the primary driven gear meshing with said primary drive gear 10.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi FUJIMOTO, Kinya MIZUNO, Yoshiaki TSUKADA
  • Publication number: 20110220057
    Abstract: A clutch actuator mounting structure for internal combustion engine has excellent maintainability such that clutch actuator maintenance and the like can be carried out without dismounting an engine case. The clutch actuator mounting structure for an internal combustion engine includes, in the engine case, a power transmission mechanism designed to transmit rotational power of a crankshaft to an output shaft through a shift clutch and a transmission. The engine case is formed with a clutch actuator containing part in which a clutch actuator for engaging/disengaging the shift clutch is contained. The clutch actuator containing part has a clutch actuator mounting/dismounting port through which to mount and dismount the clutch actuator. The clutch actuator mounting/dismounting port is formed to be exposed to the exterior.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD
    Inventors: Yasushi FUJIMOTO, Kinya MIZUNO, Yoshiaki TSUKADA
  • Publication number: 20110017168
    Abstract: A pressure washer system includes a combustion engine having a power takeoff. The center of the power takeoff defines an axis of rotation. The pressure washer system further includes a centrifugal clutch coupled to the power takeoff. The clutch comprises a flywheel having a center of mass positioned along the axis of rotation. The pressure washer system also includes a water pump coupled to the clutch output shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventor: Richard J. Gilpatrick
  • Patent number: 7661396
    Abstract: The VCR actuation subsystem includes a drive mechanism, a connecting mechanism, and an actuator mechanism. The drive mechanism includes generally identical first and second clutch assemblies. The clutch assembly includes a clutch driver plate assembly mounted on the power shaft of an engine, and a clutch driven plate assembly rotatably and longitudinally slidably mounted in a groove on the power shaft. The clutch driven plate assembly includes a pulley tire longitudinally slidably mounted on its outer wall and a spring that holds the clutch driven plate assembly away from the paired clutch driver plate assembly and pushes the clutch driven plate assembly against the other clutch driven plate assembly when the drive mechanism is not activated. The connecting mechanism includes a pair of pulleys mounted on a drive gear shaft that rotatably connects the power shaft and the actuator mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: Masami Sakita
  • Publication number: 20090301429
    Abstract: An engine according to an aspect of the present invention includes a crankshaft which is disposed in a substantially horizontal direction, first power transmission means, an input shaft, a first output shaft, second power transmission means, and a power transmission case. The input shaft is disposed below the crankshaft in parallel with the crankshaft, and the input shaft receives a power from the crankshaft through the first power transmission means. The first output shaft supplies the power from the input shaft, and the first output shaft is disposed perpendicular to the crankshaft. The second power transmission means transmits the power of the input shaft to the first output shaft. The power transmission case accommodates the input shaft, the first output shaft, and the second power transmission means therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukimasa TAKASHINA, Yoshifumi Konishi
  • Publication number: 20090277417
    Abstract: A drive shaft and pistons assembly of a split-cycle four-stroke engine that contains a drive rotary shaft that supports at least two circular eccentrics pivotally connected to the first ends of connecting rods, the other ends of which are pivotally connected to the respective pistons. The circular eccentrics are angularly shifted with respect to each other by an angle optimal from the viewpoint of efficiency of the engine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Inden
  • Publication number: 20080178835
    Abstract: A reciprocating internal combustion engine has an engine block (100) with at least one pair of coaxially aligned cylinders (30L and 30R) in which a dual-headed piston body reciprocates. Two rack gears (27 and 28) are mounted within a central frame structure (40) of the piston body and mesh with two pinion gears (29a and 29b, respectively). The pinion gears are rotatably mounted on an axle (21) oriented approximately perpendicular to the line of reciprocate motion of the piston. A slip clutch (23a and 23b) on each pinion gear alternatively locks and unlocks the pinion gear to the axle to permit rotation of the axle in one direction as the piston reciprocates. Preferably, fuel combustion occurs alternatively in each cylinder head. A valved chamber (34L and 34R) in the cylinder head enables exhaust. Preferably, a flywheel (49) is connected to the axle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Rodney Nelson
  • Patent number: 7398753
    Abstract: An engine has a built-in continuously variable transmission (CVT) interconnecting a crankshaft connected through a connecting rod to a piston and a transmission shaft to which the rotation of the crankshaft is transmitted for changing speed between both of the shafts. A driven pulley and a clutch are disposed on the transmission shaft. A balancer shaft to which the rotation of the crankshaft is transmitted and the clutch are disposed in an overlapping positional relationship with each other in the direction of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tatsuya Masuda, Yousuke Ishida
  • Patent number: 7150259
    Abstract: A power transfer assembly (2000) for transferring energy within a combustion engine (1010) externally of the engine. The power transfer assembly includes a crankshaft (2006) adapted to convert reciprocating motion to rotating motion. The power transfer assembly further includes an outdrive (2004, 2020, and/or 2026) adapted to transfer the rotating motion of the crankshaft to an external device requiring power. The outdrive is non-rigidly interfaced with the outdrive such that the crankshaft is permitted to freely rotate relative to the outdrive about at least one axis (2014) and freely move linearly in at least one direction (2027) relative to the outdrive during operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2006
    Inventor: Walter Schmied
  • Patent number: 7128042
    Abstract: This invention is a fuel efficient, high torque power, offset piston engine. The basic invention is a 2-stroke 2-cylinder engine. A single idler gear provides ignition timing between a pair of out-of-phase power pistons as 1-way clutches transmit the power to the engine's power shaft. Displacing and replacing a special idler changes the engine between a 2 stroke and a 4 stroke. Power stroke overlap saves fuel. Deactivating pistons when not needed without load on the engine saves more fuel. Other benefits will be obvious upon perusing the disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Inventor: Robert Louis Giuliani
  • Patent number: 7100544
    Abstract: An on/off clutch assembly is disclosed having a simplified method for attaching the drive shaft to the hub portion of the drive pulley. The rotating shaft is formed with an integral external threaded portion that is designed to mate with a corresponding internal threaded portion of the hub. The external threaded portion, in conjunction with the internal threaded portion, replace the holes and corresponding cap screws that are used to attach the drive shaft to the hub in current designs. The new design limits the complexity of design and manufacture of the fan drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Nathaniel Eric Wayman
  • Patent number: 6923091
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine with a hydraulically operated automatic transmission includes a crankcase that is divided on a plane perpendicular to a crankshaft and an outer face of the crankcase in a direction of the crankshaft is covered with a crankcase cover. A transmission gear ratio of the transmission is automatically changed over by control of oil pressures to remove a valve body for readily controlling oil pressures and for raising the accessibility of maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2005
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hori, Yoshihiro Yoshida, Seiji Hamaoka
  • Patent number: 6910547
    Abstract: The invention aims at providing a compact mounting arrangement for an automobile drive unit consisting of a combustion engine and a transmission. According to the invention, the crankshaft of the combustion engine and an auxiliary shaft driven by said crankshaft extend in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, the cylinders of the combustion engine are subdivided into at least two rows forming an angle in relation to each other, wherein one of said cylinder rows is disposed in a horizontal or substantially horizontal manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Volkswagen Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ferdinand Piech, Dietmar Lagies
  • Publication number: 20040255897
    Abstract: An engine unit for an motorcycle is disclosed in which an accessory drive gear is disposed downstream of primary dampers in the engine power transmission path, and simultaneously upstream of a clutch mechanism in the engine power transmission path. In this engine unit, an accessory, for example, generator, is connected to an intermediate shaft that is parallel to a crank shaft and a counter shaft so as to rotate integrally with the intermediate shaft. An accessory driven gear is meshed with the accessory drive gear, and an accessory damper is disposed between the intermediate shaft and the accessory for absorbing rotational shocks. Furthermore, a starter motor is gear-engaged with the intermediate shaft via a one-way clutch, and the position of this gear engagement is provided between the accessory damper and the accessory driven gear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2004
    Publication date: December 23, 2004
    Applicant: SUZUKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hidetoshi Arakawa
  • Publication number: 20030209220
    Abstract: To enable the miniaturization of a crankcase side cover to lighten it in a casing of an engine and to enable the reduction of the area of each joined face to make performance for sealing the joined faces of a crankcase and the crankcase side cover satisfactory. In a casing of an engine composed of a crankcase, a crankcase side cover the inner end of which is joined to one side end of the crankcase and which covers a primary reduction gear and a clutch cover which is joined to the outer end of the crankcase side cover and which houses a clutch together with the crankcase side cover, the inside diameter d of the joined faces of a clutch enclosure enclosing the clutch of the crankcase side cover and the crankcase is set so that the inside diameter is smaller than the outside diameter D of a clutch outer in the clutch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Atsuo Hojyo
  • Publication number: 20030075138
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine with a hydraulically operated automatic transmission includes a crankcase that is divided on a plane perpendicular to a crankshaft and an outer face of the crankcase in a direction of the crankshaft is covered with a crankcase cover. A transmission gear ratio of the transmission is automatically changed over by control of oil pressures to remove a valve body for readily controlling oil pressures and for raising the accessibility of maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2002
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Hori, Yoshihiro Yoshida, Seiji Hamaoka