Specific Throttle Valve Structure Patents (Class 123/337)
  • Patent number: 6553963
    Abstract: A throttle assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a throttle body that defines an airflow passage, a throttle shaft rotatably mounted to the throttle body and extending though the airflow passage, a throttle plate coupled to the throttle shaft, and a seal member coupled to the throttle shaft. More specifically, one end of the throttle shaft extends through the throttle body, and a seal member surrounds the throttle shaft between the throttle body and the shaft. The seal member extending into the airflow passage and effectively forms a standpipe extending into the airflow passage for a length sufficient to prevent pooled engine fluid from seeping out of said throttle body along said throttle shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Bombardier Motor Corporation of America
    Inventor: Mark Noble
  • Patent number: 6554250
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a flap valve device and a regulation assembly comprising such devices. A pivoting flap valve device has a flap body substantially in the form of a disc mounted on a support and control axle, for the regulation of the circulation of a fluid, particularly a liquid, between an upstream conduit portion and a downstream conduit portion. The flap body (2) is mounted centered on the axle (3), in that the two conduit portions (4 and 5) are axially offset relative to each other and in that the internal surfaces (7, 7′) of the opposed offsets resulting from the axial offset or non-alignment of the portions (4 and 5) constitute bearing surfaces (7, 7′) for two complementary seat portions (6, 6′) for the flap body (2), located on opposite sides of the axle (3) carrying the flap body (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2003
    Assignee: Mark IV Systemes Moteurs (Societe Anonyme)
    Inventors: Anthony Alves, Richard Komurian
  • Publication number: 20030070654
    Abstract: Air induction noise of a throttle apparatus caused by interference between flowing air and an opening for a bypass passage is reduced because a protrusion formed on an interior surface of the throttle apparatus changes aerodynamic features of the throttle apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventor: Chang-Yoon Ha
  • Patent number: 6543412
    Abstract: A main passage mounting a throttle valve and an air bypass flow passage for reducing HC emission by promoting atomization of the fuel spray injected from the assembly pipe fuel injector are integrated in a body of an intake air control device arranged upstream of an assembly pipe in a one-piece structure to form a unit. Thereby, the intake air control device can be easily manufactured and easily mounted on and dismounted from the intake air system. The amount of HC emitted during warming-up operation of an internal combustion engine is reduced by efficiently supplying fuel spray injected from an assembly pipe fuel injector at the time of starting and warming-up operations for the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiyoshi Amou, Yoshio Okamoto, Yuzo Kadomukai, Takehiko Kowatari, Ayumu Miyajima, Masami Nagano, Takanobu Ichihara, Hiroaki Saeki, Tadashi Someno
  • Patent number: 6543413
    Abstract: A one piece slide in place “butterfly” valve plate for a short runner manifold of a vehicle. A method of reducing friction in an anti-chatter device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Mark F. Lozen, John W. Duddles, Frederick K. Miller, Kevin C. Goldstein
  • Publication number: 20030047703
    Abstract: A throttle valve apparatus for controlling fluid flow includes a first shaft, a first throttle blade, a second shaft, and a second throttle blade. The first shaft extends along a first axis. The first axis extends across an interior portion of a throttle body and the first shaft is pivotably supported by the throttle body. The first blade includes a first pivot end and a first free end. The first blade is fixed to the first shaft at the first pivot end. The second shaft extends along a second axis. The second axis also extends across the interior portion of the throttle body and the second shaft is pivotably supported by the throttle body. The second blade includes a second pivot end and a second free end. The second blade is fixed to the second shaft at the second pivot end. The first and second axis may be aligned.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Mark Patterson
  • Publication number: 20030034474
    Abstract: A butterfly valve for a gas turbine engine includes a valve shaft and a valve disk. The valve disk has a centerline axis that extends through the valve disk. The valve disk also includes a shaft opening, an outer periphery, an outer surface, a first side, and a second side. The first side is opposite the second side. The shaft opening extends through the valve disk adjacent the centerline axis, and is sized to receive the valve shaft therein. The disk outer surface extends over the first and second sides, and is tapered between the outer periphery and the centerline axis over at least one of the disk first and second sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2001
    Publication date: February 20, 2003
    Inventors: Robert Proctor, John William Hanify, Debra Lynn Prikkel, Michael Jay Epstein, Julius John Montgomery
  • Patent number: 6516776
    Abstract: In a throttle valve device for driving a throttle valve to open/close by an electric motor, wherein a circuit case for accommodating a motor drive circuit is integrally formed to a throttle body, said throttle body is further equipped with a cooling water passage for cooling said motor drive circuit with the engine cooling water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2003
    Assignee: Unisia Jecs Corporation
    Inventors: Keiichi Kai, Masato Kumagai
  • Publication number: 20030024502
    Abstract: A supplemental control valve device for supplementally controlling the flow through the intake channel of an internal combustion engine includes a flow body mounted in the intake channel and extending from an enlarged cross section of the intake channel into a reducing cross section of the intake channel. The flow body is configured in correspondence with the intake channel such that an annular gap is formed between the flow body and the intake channel. A valve member is supported on the flow body for movement between an open position in which the valve member is at a spacing from a valve seat on the intake channel at the transition of the upstream cross section and the enlarged cross section, and a closed position in which the valve member is seated against the valve seat such that the flow in the intake channel past the valve member is prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: META MOTOREN-UND ENERGIE-Technik GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Kreuter
  • Publication number: 20030019471
    Abstract: A throttle valve configuration having an emergency air device in the form of an additional valve which normally closes off an emergency air opening in the throttle valve, and when the drive fails, can be rotated relative to the throttle valve in order to release the emergency air opening so that the internal combustion engine receives sufficient air to travel to a garage or a similar service center.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Dirk Geyer
  • Patent number: 6508454
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for snap-fit attachment of a throttle shaft to a throttle body. A pair of resilient cantilevered tangs is formed on a distal end of the throttle shaft. Bearings are installed within a bore formed in the throttle body to rotatably support the shaft. The shaft is inserted through an opening in the bearings to compress the tangs and the tangs are resiliently returned to an extended position to prevent withdrawal of the shaft from the throttle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventors: James K. Vanderveen, Paul D. Daly, Zhouxuan Xia
  • Patent number: 6505643
    Abstract: A throttle valve body (10, 100), especially for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, having a tubular body (16, 116), which comprises at least an outer casing (16A, 116A), an inner casing (16B, 116B), a first end face (16C, 116C) and a second end face (16D, 116D), the inner casing (16B, 116B) of the tubular body (16, 116) forming a flow duct (20, 120) through which a gaseous medium (56, 156), especially air, can flow in a main flow direction (58, 158), a throttle plate (24, 124) swivel-mounted on a throttle shaft (22, 122) being arranged in the flow duct (20, 120), is to have an especially low weight and be manufactured at least partially from standard components. For this purpose the outer casing (16A, 116A) of the tubular housing (16, 116) is at least partially enclosed by a housing (12, 112) made of plastic (14, 114), at least one actuator (30, 130) for the throttle shaft (22, 122) being arranged in the housing (12, 112) and the tubular body (16, 116) being largely composed of metal (18, 118).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens AG
    Inventors: Lutz Scholten, Peter Welteroth, Rolf Oppermann, Armin Seeger
  • Publication number: 20030005910
    Abstract: A throttle device for engine has a throttle valve, a shaft, and a valve gear. The valve gear is driven to rotate by a motor. The shaft and the valve gear are unitarily molded of a continuous resinous material. In the coupled area between the shaft and the valve, a recess section is provided. The recess section is formed, from the outer end face of the gear, coaxially with the shaft. The recess section serves as a thin-walled section, and prevents deformation of the gear likely to be caused by heat shrinkage. Furthermore, the recess section includes a through hole, which is effective for moving the ball bearing along the axial direction. A press-fitting tool is inserted into the through hole to install the ball bearing by pressing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Tetsuya Komeda, Kazunori Mori
  • Patent number: 6502542
    Abstract: The subject invention is a linkage assembly for an electronically controlled throttle (ETC) that provides for the precise setting of a limp home engine speed for a vehicle. Essentially a controlled amount of movement is attained between a closed position and a limp home throttle position. A throttle valve is attached to a first shaft and rotates to regulate air intake. The first shaft is attached to a sector gear. The sector gear is driven by the ETC. A stop bracket limits the amount that the sector gear can close the throttle valve. The stop bracket defines an opening, and a cam is disposed within the opening. A spring biases the stop bracket against the cam. Normally, the ETC can overcome the spring and the stop bracket is forced against the cam such that stop bracket contacts the cam to define a closed throttle position. Of course, when operational the ETC can drive the valve to open position as demanded by the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Siemens VDO Automotive Inc.
    Inventor: Philip Edward Arthur Stuart
  • Patent number: 6497245
    Abstract: A throttle assembly including a bore wall to which a seal member is previously attached is inserted into a key-like slot of an intake air passage body, and flanges are fixed to each other by screws. A bore inner wall of the bore wall is placed to correspond to an inner wall of an intake air passage, and the seal member completely seals between the intake air passage body and the throttle assembly. That is, the throttle assembly including the seal member is inserted into the key-like slot, so that the throttle assembly is easily attached to the intake air passage body, a sealing mechanism therebetween is simplified, and a stress strain of the bore wall is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Katsuya Torii
  • Publication number: 20020185106
    Abstract: An intake system for an internal-combustion engine has an air line (air pipe) whose end is detachably fastened on a flange of a component. The flange of the component has at least one recess which, in the mounted condition of the connection, engages with fastening elements are provided on the air pipe, so that the air pipe is axially secured on the flange of the component.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Inventor: Eberhard Storz
  • Patent number: 6491019
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a position device that includes an angular rotation sensor for use in connection with a throttle valve assembly. The rotation sensor consists of a stationary and rotating unit provided in an enclosed cap element. The present invention also includes an adjusting device having an angular rotation sensor and a throttle unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: AB Elektronik GmbH
    Inventor: Peter Apel
  • Patent number: 6491020
    Abstract: The subject invention is a throttle body for an intake manifold of a spark ignition internal combustion engine. The throttle body includes a throttle plate member comprising a shaft, a throttle plate and a lever. The throttle plate member is integrally molded as one piece from an engineering resin. The throttle body also includes an air intake portion and an air discharge portion. Either the air intake or the air discharge portions may be integrally attached to the intake manifold prior to assembly of the throttle plate member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Kotchi, Michael J. Halsig
  • Publication number: 20020179046
    Abstract: In an intake air rate controlling device including a throttle body 1, forming an air-intake passage 2, and a plate-like throttle valve 4, rotatably supported by the throttle body 1 through a throttle shaft, wherein an intake air rate supplied to an internal combustion engine is controlled by a rotation of the throttle valve 4, and air-flow controlling means 20 is located on an upper stream side or a lower stream side of the throttle valve 4 for suppressing a variation of a torque, effecting on the throttle valve 4 by a hydrodynamic force generated by an intake air, whereby excellent durability, excellent reliability, and high performances are obtainable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Satoru Tokiya, Kenji Nakao, Teruhiko Moriguchi
  • Publication number: 20020174851
    Abstract: A throttle plate assembly with a wedge for limiting air flow upon initial acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventors: Ed Elliot, Earl R. Austin, Brad Paine, Keith Miller
  • Patent number: 6481415
    Abstract: The present invention provides an assembly for providing a variable output torque based upon a constant input force. The assembly includes an actuator for providing a constant input force and at least one link operatively coupled to the actuator and a pivot point such the constant input force is converted to the variable output torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventor: John Edward Cook
  • Patent number: 6478011
    Abstract: An air intake device for an internal combustion engine with at least two intake pipes, wherein each intake pipe can be closed by at least one throttle valve and wherein the throttle valves are connected to one another. The throttle valves are soft in at least one area in such a way that unevenness in the distribution of the supplied air is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2002
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Paffrath
  • Publication number: 20020162531
    Abstract: A switching assembly (10) having closure elements such as switch valves (18), for example, for closing intake lines (24b) and an intake manifold (28) in which the switching assembly is installed. The switching assembly (10) advantageously is composed of assembly injection-molded valve modules including switch valves (18) and a frame (14b). Alternatively, the switch valves (18) may also be injection molded directly in place in the support component (17). Because it may be pre-assembled, the entire switching assembly (10) may be easily installed in the intake manifold. In addition, the switching assembly preferably has rotational axes (15) which lie at a right angle to the alignment of the valves. It is advantageous that each switch valve (18) has its own rotational axis, thereby avoiding additive tolerances. In this way a part is provided which is economical to produce and which satisfies the sealing requirements for the switching assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2002
    Publication date: November 7, 2002
    Inventors: Ingo Koch, Herbert Pietrowski, Guenter Steiner
  • Publication number: 20020152988
    Abstract: A device for mixture preparation in internal combustion engines, in which a fluid flow flows through a flow cross section of a bore, and the fluid flow is meterable by means of an actuatable throttle element, which is pivotable in a receiving bore of a housing. Between a wall of the bore and the outer circumference of the housing, hollow chambers for a heating or cooling medium are embodied in this housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: October 24, 2002
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Markus Michels
  • Publication number: 20020148437
    Abstract: An intake apparatus and methods of an internal combustion engine that controls an intake air current to the combustion engine. An intake current control valve has an open portion for passing intake currents, and has an external shape that has at least four corner portions corresponding to a shape of an intake pipe. Precise control of the amount of intake air can be accomplished if the open portion is closed, and then the amount of air leaking via the periphery of the valve is measured.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Applicant: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuuichi Katou, Hiroki Ichinose, Atsushi Ito, Motonobu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 6454242
    Abstract: An engine air control valve includes a throttle body having an intake air passage and a throttle valve rotatable in the passage between minimum and maximum air flow positions about a valve axis generally perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the passage. The air passage is defined by an internal wall of the throttle body, the wall including a pair of control surfaces spaced from the valve periphery with gradually increasing clearance on opposite sides of the valve axis in a low flow range. At least one of the control surfaces is interrupted by a recess forming a recessed portion of more rapidly increasing clearance extending essentially from a minimum to an intermediate air flow position of the throttle valve. The recess modifies the base flow curve of the throttle body to provide greater air flow over the low flow range of the throttle valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert David Garrick, Tracy L. C. Niedzielski
  • Patent number: 6453886
    Abstract: A purge control valve is directly connected to the fourth side surface of the main throttle body. The purge control valve comprises a main valve body, an introducing nozzle, and a discharge nozzle installed to penetrate from a bottom surface of the main valve body to a fourth side surface of a main throttle body. The discharge nozzle communicates with a communicating passage which is formed in an axial direction of an intake passage in the main throttle body. The communication passage communicates with a purge passage which is formed to have a circular arc-shaped cross section having a substantially constant width along an outer circumference of the intake passage so that an outlet surface may be cut out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Keihin Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Takano, Katsuhiro Kanno
  • Patent number: 6431142
    Abstract: A throttle body (12) has a bore (14) through which intake flow passes. A throttle blade (18) is disposed within the bore to selectively restrict the flow. The blade has through-holes (62) extending between its opposite faces (24, 26). A wedge (28) has a body (30) with opposite nonparallel faces (32, 34), one of which is disposed against one face of the blade. Self-attachment features (48) extend from the one face of the wedge body through respective through-holes in the blade. Barbs (52) at the free ends of the self-attachment features catch the opposite face of the blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Ricky Armatis
  • Publication number: 20020104510
    Abstract: The subject invention is a throttle body for an intake manifold of a spark ignition internal combustion engine. The throttle body includes a throttle plate member comprising a shaft, a throttle plate and a lever. The throttle plate member is integrally molded as one piece from an engineering resin. The throttle body also includes an air intake portion and an air discharge portion. Either the air intake or the air discharge portions may be integrally attached to the intake manifold prior to assembly of the throttle plate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventors: Gary W. Kotchi, Michael J. Halsig
  • Patent number: 6427661
    Abstract: A duct system with a throttle valve, particularly useful as an air intake duct for an internal combustion engine, in which the throttle valve is configured in such a way that in the closed position it covers only a partial region of the cross-sectional area of the duct which is to be throttled and leaves another partial region open so that air can continue to flow through the intake duct. This condition is suitable, particularly at low engine rotational speeds, to dampen the air intake noise of the internal combustion engine. When the throttle valve is positioned perpendicular to the direction of air flow through the duct, sound waves in the air intake duct of the internal combustion engine are reflected back toward the engine, and in this way an economical possibility for influencing the air intake noise results which also can be utilized to design a desired noise profile for the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventor: Helmut Spannbauer
  • Patent number: 6425356
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a piston-type internal combustion engine comprising gas-exchange valves which can be driven in a completely variable manner by a motor control (2) and which communicate with an air supply channel (4) provided with a device (6) for generating a negative pressure using the energy components of the air flowing through said air supply channel (4). This device is provided with means that can be driven for adaptation to the modifications in the flow energy which are inherent to the operation, and communicates with at least one negative-pressure user (8, 9, 10) through at least one negative-pressure duct (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2002
    Assignee: FEV Motorentechnik GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Pischinger, Markus Duesmann, Enno Lohse, Michael Schebitz, Wolfgang Salber
  • Patent number: 6412752
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for driving a throttle blade about an axis of rotation between maximum and minimum airflow positions. The throttle assembly includes a throttle body with an airflow passage. The throttle blade is mounted for rotation with respect to the body between the maximum and minimum airflow positions. The throttle blade has a central bore for receiving at least a portion of a drive mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a motor operably connected to a gear drive to move the throttle blade between the maximum and minimum airflow positions. In one example, the drive mechanism is preassembled in a tube that is inserted into the blade bore during assembly. A position sensor is also mounted within the bore to monitor the position of the blade relative to the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Canada Limited
    Inventors: Paul D. Daly, James K. Vanderveen, Bruce J. Harvey, Zhouxuan Xia
  • Patent number: 6408817
    Abstract: A hot water conduit is formed between an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder. A gasket seals an annular opening of the hot water conduit facing to a surge tank. Hot water is supplied into the conduit from an engine cooling water passage. Heat of the hot water is effectively transferred to the entire vicinity or surrounding of a throttle valve, thereby effectively avoiding icing phenomenon of the throttle apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Katsuya Torii, Yuichiro Miura
  • Patent number: 6401685
    Abstract: A fuel shut off solenoid device of a carburetor has a solenoid chamber which typically fills with fuel. When the solenoid device is energized, fuel flows from a fuel chamber into a mixing passage of the carburetor to mix with air. During the energized state, heat from the solenoid tends to vaporize the fuel within the solenoid chamber. Also when energized, the solenoid device is held in a retracted position whereby a head at a distal end of the shaft mates with or seals to a washer which in turn seals to an upward face of the encasement of the fuel shut off solenoid device. Thus the potential migration of large vapor bubbles from the solenoid chamber to the mixing passage of the carburetor is eliminated, providing a smoother idling or running engine at light loads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Walbro Corporation
    Inventor: Donald W. Warner
  • Patent number: 6394068
    Abstract: A throttle assembly includes a throttle plate that is mounted for rotation with a throttle shaft. A first set of ribs is formed along a portion of the throttle shaft and a second set of ribs is formed along one side of the throttle plate. The throttle shaft includes a D-shaped boss that is received within a D-shaped opening in the throttle plate to properly locate the plate to the shaft. When the plate is properly positioned, the second set of ribs is positioned transversely with respect to the first set of ribs and abuts against the first set of ribs. Weld energy is supplied along the length of the rib interface to secure the plate to the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2002
    Inventor: Zoltan Palotay
  • Patent number: 6390060
    Abstract: A throttle valve for controlling air flow to an internal combustion engine in which a throttle valve body is mounted in an intake channel to control air flow through the intake channel to the internal combustion engine. A spindle is rotatably supported crosswise in the intake channel and the throttle body is secured to the spindle for rotation therewith between closed and open positions. The intake channel has a wall with an inside surface of elliptical cross-sectional shape, the throttle body being formed as a planar disk having a circular periphery. The throttle body in the closed position is inclined with respect to the inside surface of the wall and the opposite edges of the valve body are in peripheral contact with the inside surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Pierburg AG
    Inventor: Thomas Schröder
  • Patent number: 6386178
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control mechanism having a housing and cover member with a throttle valve, gear mechanism, motor, and failsafe mechanism. The housing, cover member and other components are made of a plastic composite material. A spring member positioned between the housing and sector gear member which is attached to the throttle valve shaft, biases the throttle valve plate member toward the closed position. A spring-biased plunger member biases the throttle plate member from its closed position to a default or “limp-home” position. A metal reinforcing plate is molded into the cover member in order to keep the gears in alignment and maintain proper gear positioning during high temperature fluctuations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James Richard Rauch
  • Patent number: 6382181
    Abstract: An electric drive actuator opens and closes a throttle valve to control an intake air flow rate of the internal combustion engine. A motor case contains a motor constituting the electric drive actuator and a gear case contains a gear mechanism to transmit power of the motor to the throttle valve shaft. A motor inserting port of the motor case is opened to the gear case. The motor is attached to the motor case by fastening a motor bracket to screw holes with three screws. Three sides forming a contour of the motor bracket are curved lines. A motor positioning portion being fitted to the three curved lines of the motor bracket to position the motor is formed in the gear case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui, Shigeru Tokumoto, Yasuo Saito
  • Patent number: 6378491
    Abstract: A hollow-cylindrical heat conduction portion is formed on a throttle body in such a way as to protrude outwardly therefrom in the radial direction. The throttle body and the heat conduction portion are integrally formed using metal material such as aluminum having excellent heat conductivity or resin material containing such a metal material. A vent hole communicating the interior with the exterior of a head cover is formed in the head cover. Through the vent hole there is inserted the heat conduction portion, and the clearance between an outer-peripheral wall thereof and an inner wall of the vent hole is sealed by means of a seal member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Masao Ino, Katsuya Torii, Yuichiro Miura
  • Patent number: 6371080
    Abstract: Disclosed is a throttle device for an internal-combustion engine, in which, on one side of the side wall of a throttle body, there are formed a space for mounting a reduction gear mechanism which transmits the power from a motor to a throttle valve shaft and a default opening setting mechanism for holding a throttle valve opening at a specific opening (default opening) when the ignition switch is in off position, and a gear cover mounting frame which edges the mounting space. The frame is formed lower than the mounting level of the reduction gear mechanism. A gear cover for covering the gear mounting space is attached on the frame. A stopper for defining the default opening and a stopper for defining the full-closed position of the throttle valve are juxtaposed so as to enable position adjustments in the same direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuo Saito, Yoshikatsu Hashimoto, Eisuke Wayama, Toshifumi Usui
  • Patent number: 6367773
    Abstract: A throttle valve control device provided with a throttle valve 3 formed in an elliptic shape such that a major axis is a center line 3c connecting mounting holes 3a and 3b for fixing the valve 3 to a throttle shaft 2. A clearance A is provided between an edge of the elliptic valve 3 in a minor axis and an inner wall of a throttle bore 1b configuring an intake passage, while the minimum open area needed for idle engine operation is provided. Even if deposits are accumulated in the bore 1b in the vicinity of the throttle shaft 2 at the idle operation, the throttle valve 3 further rotated in a reverse rotating direction at throttle valve non-control time can scrape off the deposits at a smaller rotational torque as compared with in the vicinity of the edge 3d of the valve 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Aisan Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiki Ito
  • Patent number: 6365226
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming a sealant ring within a throttle body assembly comprising an essentially cylindrical housing defined by an essentially cylindrical wall and an essentially circular plate pivotally disposed on the wall wherein an essentially annular gap is formed between the plate and the wall. The method comprises depositing an essentially continuous ring of sealant composition around the throttle body assembly. The essentially continuous ring covers the essentially annular gap. The sealant composition is dispensed from a needle applicator which is disposed above the annular gap and which travels in an essentially circular motion around the throttle body. The sealant composition, upon drying, forms an essentially continuous seal covering the gap of the throttle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Zili Wu
  • Patent number: 6360719
    Abstract: A charge control apparatus and a method for operating an reciprocating internal combustion engine are provided. The charge control apparatus includes a rotary disc valve disposed in the intake conduit upstream of the intake valve and connected to a motor and a control unit. The rotary disc valve is movable by the motor between a position in which the rotary disc valve closes the intake conduit and a position in which it permits flow along the intake conduit to the intake valve. The control unit controls the movement of the rotary disc valve into its closing position in the intake conduit such that the closing time point of the rotary disc valve is set increasingly ahead of the closing time point of the intake valve as a function of decreasing performance demands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Nonox B.V.
    Inventor: Paul Uitenbroek
  • Patent number: 6354267
    Abstract: An injection molded throttle body having a one-piece lever shaft and plate which is installed as a single piece unit in a laterally split throttle body housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: Gary W. Kotchi, Michael J. Halsig
  • Publication number: 20020023347
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a housing (12) for a throttle valve connection piece (10), which housing is to have particularly high dimensional stability. For this purpose, the housing (12), which has a throttle orifice (16) for a throttle valve (20), is produced from plastic (14) by the injection molding method, plastic (14) being partially injected around a metal cylinder (28) which, at least in the region of the throttle valve (20), forms the throttle orifice (16). In this case, before the injection molding method, an expanding mandrel (50) is expanded against the inner face (33) of the metal cylinder (28). During the injection molding method, the inner face (33) of the metal cylinder (28) is supported at least partially by the expanding mandrel (50). After the injection molding method, a reduction in the outer circumference (80) of the expanding mandrel (50) is carried out in order to remove the expanding mandrel (50) from the interior (70) of the metal cylinder (28).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventors: Thomas Hannewald, Armin Seeger, Rolf Oppermann, Michael Haede, Rudiger Morbe, Carlos Backes, Horst Schafer
  • Publication number: 20020023620
    Abstract: An air intake device for an internal combustion engine with at least two intake pipes, wherein each intake pipe can be closed by at least one throttle valve and wherein the throttle valves are connected to one another. The throttle valves are soft in at least one area in such a way that unevenness in the distribution of the supplied air is reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2001
    Publication date: February 28, 2002
    Inventor: Holger Paffrath
  • Patent number: 6347613
    Abstract: An electronic throttle control mechanism having a housing and cover member with a throttle valve, gear mechanism, motor, and failsafe mechanism. The housing, cover member and other components are made of a plastic composite material. A spring member positioned between the housing and sector gear member which is attached to the throttle valve shaft, biases the throttle valve plate member toward the closed position. A spring-biased plunger member biases the throttle plate member from its closed position to a default or “limp-home” position. Several of the components, such as the motor holder, electrical connectors and housing for the throttle position sensor (TPS), are molded together into the cover member to form an integrated modular assembly. This reduces the cost and weight and improves the reliability and overall size of the mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: James Richard Rauch
  • Patent number: 6341593
    Abstract: An electronic throttle apparatus permits aggregating of various parts and rationalization of installation, and can simplify assembling operation and wiring operation to an engine room for rationalization of an installation space. The throttle apparatus for an engine includes a throttle body housing therein a throttle valve and disposed in an air intake of the engine, a throttle actuating motor, a throttle position sensor detecting a throttle valve angle and an air flow sensor located on upstream of the throttle valve and measuring an intake air flow rate. The throttle actuating motor, the throttle position sensor and the air flow sensor are mounted on the throttle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Car Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yasuhiro Kamimura, Norio Tomita, Kazuo Nagayama, Yasushi Sasaki
  • Patent number: 6325045
    Abstract: In an intake air quantity controlling device for a combustion engine, a supporting portion of a bearing 10 for a valve shaft 9 having a choke valve 11, rotatably operated in an intake air passage 2, a supporting portion of a shaft of an intermediate gear 6, and a reference hole for a shaft of a rotor 12 fabricating a motor are formed in a metallic plate 15, whereby the intake air quantity controlling device has a high dimensional accuracy and a high strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2001
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Satoru Tokiya, Mikihiko Suzuki
  • Patent number: 6321718
    Abstract: An intake module for an internal combustion engine. The intake module including at least two intake ducts which can be opened and closed by rotatable valves. The valves are connected to one another via a coupling mechanism and to a common actuating mechanism in the form of a servomotor. In order to compensate for tolerances between the valves and the actuating mechanism, the coupling mechanism includes at least one elastic portion, formed by a weakened material portion, which allows the intake valves to be closed and opened completely. The resilience of the coupling mechanism can be brought about by a change in cross-section or a material reduction. In one embodiment of the invention, the coupling mechanism includes multi-part articulated main rods which control the valves by resiliently mounted legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Filterwerk Mann & Hummel GmbH
    Inventors: Christof Mangold, Hermann Maurer, Herbert Pietrowski, Heinz Dobusch, Norbert Kleinehakenkamp, Thomas Jessberger