Multiple Engine Units Patents (Class 123/DIG8)
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Patent number: 6105542Abstract: A modular engine has a plurality of engine sections, with each of the engine sections having a power module, which power modules are bolted to one another in a selected positional relationship. A link-up device is selectively able to couple any number of the engine sections to one or more output shafts. An engine management system controls the link-up device so that, in use, and according to power requirements, any one or more of the engine sections is brought into operation, or is withdrawn from operation, such that the single overall engine is able to utilize power from any number of the power modules of the engine sections (e.g., three or more) for driving the output shaft(s).Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 1998Date of Patent: August 22, 2000Inventor: Clive William Efford
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Patent number: 5983845Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a rotary drive system and an engine which have greater toughness and which are capable of smoothly converting linear thrust force into rotary torque. In the present invention, a pair of elongated members are arranged parallel in a first direction. A moving guide is spanned between the elongated members, arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and capable of moving in the first direction. A moving body is capable of moving in the second direction along the moving guide. A rotary shaft is capable of rotating about an axial line, which is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction. A lever has one part, which is pivotably connected with the moving body, and another part, which is fixed to the rotary shaft, whereby the lever rotates the rotary shaft when the moving body moves round. A driving mechanism moves the moving guide in the first direction. A control mechanism stabilizes rotational speed of the rotary shaft.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 1998Date of Patent: November 16, 1999Assignee: Yugen Kaisha SozoanInventor: Ken Yanagisawa
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Patent number: 5947064Abstract: A multi-engine plant with a common freshwater cooling system comprises turbocharged diesel engines (1) which in their coolant system are provided with a charging air cooler 911), a high-temperature circuit (HT) and a low-temperature circuit (LT). The high-temperature circuit (4) contains a fist three-way circuit delivery pipe (7) to the engine with coolant. The low-temperature circuit (5) contains a second three-way valve (13) supplying coolant to the delivery pipe (14) of the charging air cooler in the LT circuit. The charging air cooler (11) is a two-step cooler in which the first step (10) is part of the HT circuit and the second step (19) is part o the LT circuit. A control valve (16) can adjust the coolant flow through the second step in dependency of the engine load. The discharge pipe (15) from the control valve is connected to the second three-way valve and a common return pipe (3).Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 1998Date of Patent: September 7, 1999Assignee: Man B&W Diesel A/SInventor: Hans Christian Lauritsen
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Patent number: 5890365Abstract: A self-contained, hydraulically operated clutch-type coupling, allowing a minimum of two vehicular type internal combustion engines to be mounted in tandem replacing the standard single block, multi cylinder engine. Flexibility is provided to the driver by a computerized control system to select operation of one or more engines to produce minimum to maximum horsepower at the flywheel, necessary to meet specific road and traffic conditions while maintaining a constant engine (RPM) speed. In one embodiment, a single engine is started to minimize undesirable emissions due to the combination of cold start conditions and wall quenching and fuel conservation purposes. Upon attaining engine operating temperature uniformity, the succeeding engine(s) can be started and operated to provide maximum available horsepower/torque to meet road load conditions.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 1993Date of Patent: April 6, 1999Inventor: Leonard A. Sisti
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Patent number: 5771860Abstract: A power balancing control to balance power output from a first and second engine that mutually drive a load is disclosed. The control includes an electronic control module electrically connected to a control panel. A first and second inlet manifold pressure sensor are associated with the first and second engine, respectively. An offset potentiometer is connected to the control panel. The control automatically adjusts power output of the second engine in response to the inlet manifold pressure of said first engine, the inlet manifold pressure of said second engine, and a signal produced by said offset potentiometer.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 1997Date of Patent: June 30, 1998Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: John J. Bernardi
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Patent number: 5701062Abstract: A pulsing drive system delivers pulsed power signals to the driven wheels of a vehicle for improving the efficiency internal combustion or an electric motor driven vehicles. A controller receives signals such as velocity and demand, and communicates to a means for selectively communicating energy wherein the means for selectively communicating energy converts the pulse signal to a correspondingly conditioned power pulse for powering the vehicle. When combined with a plurality of motors sized with optimal horsepower ranges according to a binary array, an arrangement of such motors provides for an optimally efficient operation of the vehicle by bringing on-line strategically selected combinations of the motors. A control system selectively brings on-line the multiple motors.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 1997Date of Patent: December 23, 1997Inventor: Robert D. Barrett
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Patent number: 5616010Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a power plant, and especially two or more such power plants connected together. The power plant especially features a piston connected with a reciprocated but non-rotating piston rod which connects with a pump piston at the opposite end. Power is generated by the power piston and imparted through straight reciprocating motion to the pumped piston. Two or more of these power plants are operated together by connecting them together through a connective mechanical link so that operation of one times the operation of two or more units slaved to the first. Synchronized operation is obtained.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 1995Date of Patent: April 1, 1997Inventor: James K. Sawyer
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Patent number: 5579731Abstract: An engine which employs a cam follower mechanism to reduce wear and reduce the size of an assembled engine. The cam follower mechanism utilizes guide rails located to reduce side thrust on the valve stem. The engine employs a high speed quill shaft to synchronize independent cam shafts existing in each of a plurality of interconnected engines. The engine is assembled using a single size fastener to provide a uniform stress gradient within the engine. The engines are interconnected utilizing O-ring seals. The engine provides a piston crown utilizing a connecting rod directly connected to the bottom surface of the piston crown. The piston crown is stabilized along the longitudinal cylinder axis by a rail guide. Connecting rods are provided which require less than one hundred eighty degrees (180.degree.) circumference of a crankshaft pin for support so that a plurality of connecting rods can be associated with a single crankshaft pin.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 1995Date of Patent: December 3, 1996Assignee: Evestar Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Alex Pong
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Patent number: 5553576Abstract: A motorization unit comprising two internal combustion engines able to run alternately or simultaneously.The two engines (20, 40) each comprise their own cooling circuit (21, respectively 41). These two circuits are each provided with an expansion vessel (26, 46) and are connected to a heat exchanger (30). The purpose of this heat exchanger is to keep the cooling circuit of one of the engines not running, at the right temperature by means of the cooling circuit of the other engine which is running, when the unit is operating in alternate mode.This motorization unit can be adapted to road, rail and aquatic vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 1995Date of Patent: September 10, 1996Assignee: Wartsila Sacam Diesel S.A.Inventor: Jean Nikly
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Patent number: 5528901Abstract: An auxiliary power assembly (5) for use with a heavy-duty diesel engine (8) of the type used in the trucking industry and including a small auxiliary diesel engine (9), an air compressor (10), a compressed air accumulator (17) fluid coupled to the air compressor (10), and a pneumatic starter (21) fluid coupled to the accumulator (17) and mechanically coupled to start the heavy-duty diesel engine (8). The auxiliary power assembly (5) further drives: a coolant pump (51) connected to circulate coolant between the auxiliary engine (9) and main diesel engine (8), a refrigerant compressor (41) formed to pump air conditioning fluid from the main diesel engine air conditioning system to the vehicle cab (70), and a pre-oiler pump (83) used to pressurize lubricating oil in the main engine (8). A method of operating the overall assembly and for retrofitting an existing heavy-duty diesel engine (8) with the auxiliary power assembly (5) also are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 1995Date of Patent: June 25, 1996Assignee: Auxiliary Power Dynamics, Inc.Inventor: Guy E. Willis
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Patent number: 5447132Abstract: A control system for operating two engines (3, 4) is installed on a construction machine, such as a hydraulic shovel, to provide for the operation of either engine or both of the engines, to improve operability and to reduce the stress on the operator. The control system has a governor controller (5, 6) for each engine, a dial potentiometer (1) for providing a throttle signal representing the desired revolution rates of the engines from a low speed to a high speed, and a selector switch (2) having a plurality of control positions (F, N and R) for selecting an individual engine or a combination of the engines.Type: GrantFiled: May 24, 1994Date of Patent: September 5, 1995Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu SeisakushoInventors: Minpei Shoda, Kunihiko Imanishi
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Patent number: 5398508Abstract: A main internal combustion engine powers a motor vehicle at 55 MPH. A smaller auxiliary engine powers the vehicle at slower speed. Both engines power at the same time for passing, hill climbing, etc. Either engine can be shut down (or idled) while the other engine powers. Thus, the engines operate more closely to best efficiency and this shall result in reduced fuel consumption (as calculated herein) and less air pollution.In a first species, the main engine transmits shaft power through a standard friction clutch and then to an ordinary transaxle consisting of torque converter, automatic transmission and differential. The auxiliary engine is mounted next to the transmission. Power from the smaller engine passes through an overrunning clutch and then by toothed belt and sprockets to the torque converter.A second species is identical to the first except an over running clutch takes the place of the friction clutch.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 1992Date of Patent: March 21, 1995Inventor: Arthur E. Brown
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Patent number: 5301645Abstract: A drive assembly, particularly for driving a vehicle, comprises a driving engine and an auxiliary engine as well as auxiliary assemblies which can be selectively driven by one of the engines. In a clear frontal area of the vehicle engine, a single-bank radial engine constructed as an internal-combustion engine is arranged as the auxiliary engine to save space. For achieving a compact, high-powered arrangement, the single-bank radial engine is constructed as a 4-cylinder 2-stroke engine with a crank guide power unit.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 1991Date of Patent: April 12, 1994Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AGInventors: Wilfried Ball, Reinhold Ficht
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Patent number: 5033416Abstract: An internal combustion engine for propelling ships that transport gaseous fuel, the engine comprising two groups of cylinders, a first group which is always fed with the same fuel, and a second group which is fed selectively either with said same fuel or else with a different fuel. The invention is applicable to methane tankers.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 1990Date of Patent: July 23, 1991Assignee: S.E.M.T. PielstickInventor: Pierre Bousseau
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Patent number: 4970873Abstract: The invention relates to a speed control system for a multiple engine air conditioning system in which two or more engines are used to drive respective compressors for operation of two or more heat pump circuits. According to the invention, the engine speed control system has a negative pressure generating circuit connected in common to the intake manifolds of two or more engines.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1989Date of Patent: November 20, 1990Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Takeshi Masui, Yuzuru Uehara
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Patent number: 4935689Abstract: A vehicle mounted engine generator system is disclosed for supplying electricity to external electrical appliances and equipment used inside a camping car or outdoors in the camping site, which comprises a secondary water-cooled internal combustion engine of relatively small size and an engine generator electrically connected to the engine. The secondary engine has its cooling jacket connected to a cooling line supplying it with cooling water for engine cooling. Also, the cooling line is connected to a radiator connected to the main internal combustion engine of water-cooled type so that the heated cooling water through the secondary engine is cooled by the same radiator as for the main engine. Also, the secondary engine is electrically connected to the battery for the main engine in such a manner that the battery can be recharged from the secondary engine as well.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 1988Date of Patent: June 19, 1990Assignee: Kawasaki Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Tetsuzo Fujikawa, Yoichi Yamaguchi, Masao Shirakawa
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Patent number: 4850906Abstract: A control panel for a watercraft powered by a plurality of engines wherein the controls for each of the engines is mounted on the same panel. The controls comprise at least a first pair of control elements for controlling separate functions of the engine independently but positioned in juxtaposition to each other and a common control element for controlling the same functions of both engines.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 1988Date of Patent: July 25, 1989Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Isao Kanno
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Patent number: 4773372Abstract: The invention is directed to a multi-engine drive system with at least two engines which have a common crankshaft. In order to test if both engines are operating properly, a mutually oppositely directed modulation of the throttle flap angles of the throttle flaps is caused by a control unit to occur periodically in the context of a test function. If this test function causes a change in the rotational speed of the crankshaft, then this means that the two engines are no longer operating symmetrically so that a disturbance is present. In this way, a continuous monitoring of the operation of both engines is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 1987Date of Patent: September 27, 1988Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbHInventors: Hans-Peter Stumm, Ernst Wild
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Patent number: 4714060Abstract: A two cycle engine having multiple cylinders which is capable of expanding from two or four or more cylinders. A composite crankshaft is built up by combining components including crank webs, bearing shafts and crank pins. A composite crankcase also may expand to accommodate the number of cylinders required through the use of common mating surfaces. The mating surfaces provide opposed thrust surfaces for each pair of crank pins.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1986Date of Patent: December 22, 1987Assignee: R K W Industries, Inc.Inventor: Raymond P. Kesteloot
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Patent number: 4638637Abstract: An internal combustion engine for vehicle propulsion has a number of cylinders arranged in two parallel planes and connected to two crank shafts within a common engine block. A selectively operable clutch is fitted at at least one of the crank shafts, and a gearing coordinates the output from the two crank shafts. A coupling is provided between the gearing and the output shaft of the engine plant.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 1984Date of Patent: January 27, 1987Assignee: AB VolvoInventors: Sven O. Kronogard, deceased, Allen Linden, administrator, Clas O. Kronogard, Hakan Kronogard
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Patent number: 4632081Abstract: This invention is an improved modular engine having replaceable power modules wherein the improvement consists of automatically coupling and decoupling the power modules and the engine's power output shaft in response to immediate operating requirements resulting in fuel savings. When a unit is decoupled, it is shut down and does not use fuel or add load to the engine. This feature saves fuel whenever operating requirements permit a reduction in power. The power units may be of several types known to the art. The power units are shown to have a gear which meshes with a gear part of the engine's power output shaft to drive the shaft. A microprocessor is shown to control the dynamic coupling and decoupling between the unit's gear and the power output shaft to keep the invention properly timed and fuel efficient. A flywheel is shown, in combination with the other parts, to store regenerated energy and release the energy to the power shaft upon demand.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 1983Date of Patent: December 30, 1986Inventors: Robert L. Giuliani, Mark A. Giuliani, Karen A. Giuliani
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Patent number: 4567864Abstract: A connecting-rod system particularly for mowers, wherein a crank, supporting a couple of rods, is linked to the driving shaft by means of a clamp fastened to said shaft by means of a threaded ring, and wherein the mutual positioning of crank and clamp is achieved by means of a key.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 1983Date of Patent: February 4, 1986Inventor: Luigi Gaspardo
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Patent number: 4531379Abstract: An auxiliary power system for an air conditioner and heater of a vehicle includes an auxiliary motor which is selectively connected by an electromagnetic clutch of a jack shaft assembly to drive the compressor of the vehicle's air conditioner. The jack shaft assembly reduces the RPM of the auxiliary motor to an RPM suitable for operating the compressor. The auxiliary engine has a cooling system and an exhaust system which are respectively connected to the cooling and exhaust systems of the vehicle's main engine. A baffle plate is provided at the point of connection to direct the flow of exhaust gases from the auxiliary engine into the exhaust system of the main engine. Solenoid actuated valves circulate coolant fluid from either the auxiliary or main engine to selectively heat water in a tank or to heat the interior of the passenger compartment of the vehicle. An auxiliary fan cools the condenser and radiator of the vehicle when the auxiliary engine is operating.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 1983Date of Patent: July 30, 1985Inventor: Robert E. Diefenthaler, Jr.
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Patent number: 4512301Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a primary engine unit and an auxiliary engine unit, in which a clutch of the auxiliary engine unit is engaged at a proper time dependent on the acceleration of the primary engine unit.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1982Date of Patent: April 23, 1985Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toru Yamakawa
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Patent number: 4480612Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a first power unit and a second power unit, in which a clutch of the second power unit is disengaged thereby to disengage the second power unit from an output shaft, when a low reduction gear ratio of a transmission is selected.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1982Date of Patent: November 6, 1984Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toru Yamakawa
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Patent number: 4470379Abstract: A multi-cylinder engine for a motor vehicle comprises at least two cylinders mounted in mutually displaced relationship with respect to longitudinal and transverse directions of the vehicle. The crankshaft for one of the cylinders is located at a higher level than the crankshaft for the other cylinder. A crankcase assembly of the engine is vertically divided into pieces by a plurality of planes extending perpendicular to the crankshafts and each plane passing through each center of the cylinders. The engine provides first and second gears mounted on the primary shaft, a crank gear for one of the crankshaft, a crank gear for the other crankshaft, and an idle gear. The first gear is in meshing engagement with the crank gear for one of the crankshaft, while the second gear is connected to the other crank gear through the idle gear.Type: GrantFiled: February 4, 1982Date of Patent: September 11, 1984Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinichi Miyakoshi, Kuniyuki Yamamoto
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Patent number: 4442805Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising a primary engine unit and an auxiliary engine unit, in which the auxiliary engine unit is connected to an output shaft of the primary engine unit under conditions both engine units are balanced in output torque and engine speed.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1982Date of Patent: April 17, 1984Assignee: Fuji Jukogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Toru Yamakawa
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Patent number: 4417551Abstract: In order to improve the fuel economy of a vehicle engine, its cylinders are divided into two groups, which are operable independently of each other. The fuel system is adapted to supply either, or both groups with fuel. The crank shaft of one cylinder group is connectable to the power take-off shaft by means of conventional transmission and clutch means, while the crank shaft of the other cylinder group is connectable to the power take-off shaft by way of a transmission arrangement running in parallel to the row of cylinders, and comprising a shaft. The auxiliaries of the engine are mounted at the end of the engine remote from the power take-off shaft, and can be driven from either group of cylinders by way of the transmission arrangement.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 1981Date of Patent: November 29, 1983Assignee: Sven-Olof KronogardInventors: Sven-Olof Kronogard, Clas-Olof Kronogard, Hakan Kronogard
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Patent number: 4399777Abstract: An engine block for a reciprocal piston internal combustion engine which is constructed from two substantially identical block halves. Each block half includes a mating surface formed around its outer periphery which is symetrical about the center line and a cylinder adapted to receive a reciprocal piston. Each block further includes a pair of manifold passageways wherein one end of each passageway is adapted to be connected to the cylinder through a valve means while the other of each passageway is open to the mating surface on opposite sides of and equidistantly spaced from the center line. A recessed channel is formed in the mating surface and extends from the other end of each passageway and to the outer edge of the mating surface. The engine block halves are secured together so that the mating surfaces abut together whereupon the recessed channels on one block half register with the recessed channels on the other block half.Type: GrantFiled: August 17, 1981Date of Patent: August 23, 1983Assignee: Teledyne Industries, Inc.Inventor: Ronald W. Hoettels
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Patent number: 4337623Abstract: A vehicle drive system comprises at least two prime movers communicating by way of a base block with a common output shaft. The base block has a housing enclosing two parallel, cylindrical chambers, and is provided with external mounting members for mounting in the vehicle. A strengthening wall structure separating the two chambers is defined by part-cylindrical surfaces bordering the chambers. The prime movers are mounted directly at the base block, with their shafts aligned with the axes of the chambers, and a gearing within the housing has transmission elements extending through openings in the strengthening wall.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1980Date of Patent: July 6, 1982Inventor: Sven-Olof Kronogard
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Patent number: 4167857Abstract: A marine Diesel engine consists of parallel left and right engines mounted on a common bed plate having integral independent columns on which the cylinders of the engine are supported, the bed plate and columns forming the crank chambers of the engines. The exhaust and scavenging pipes for the engines are constructed as common parts, the scavenging pipe being mounted between the engines and being flexibly connected to at least one of them so as to permit relative movement between the engine upper portions. A single propeller shaft is driven at a desired low r.p.m. from the crank shafts of the engines through a gearing device consisting simply of a gear on the propeller shaft meshing with a pair of pinions each connected to one of the engine crank shafts by an elastic coupling.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1978Date of Patent: September 18, 1979Assignee: Hitachi Shipbuilding & Engineering Co., Ltd.Inventors: Isamu Nishijima, Masuichi Yasuda, Yukio Tomita, Takayuki Wakabayashi, Munetsugu Fukagawa, Kenjiro Nabeshima, Takeyasu Matsui, Kazuo Nishimura, Hiroshi Nomura, Kiyoshi Kato, Takeshi Miki, Susumu Sato
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Patent number: 4041910Abstract: An arrangement for an internal combustion engine is provided in which one or more of the cylinders of the engine are used for generating hydrogen rich gases from hydrocarbon fuels, which gases are then mixed with air and injected into the remaining cylinders to be used as fuel. When heavy load conditions are encountered, hydrocarbon fuel may be mixed with the hydrogen rich gases and air and the mixture is then injected into the remaining cylinders as fuel.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1975Date of Patent: August 16, 1977Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationInventor: John Houseman
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Patent number: 4037571Abstract: A multi-cylinder engine comprising at least a first cylinder group and a second cylinder group. The first cylinder group is connected to a first intake manifold having a first carburetor with a first throttle valve. The second cylinder group is connected to a second intake manifold having a second carburetor with a second throttle valve. A throttle valve control means is provided for controlling opening degrees of the first and the second throttle valves in response to an extent of depression of an accelerator pedal so that the opening degree of the first throttle valve is larger than that of the second throttle valve when the engine is operating under a partial load, and the first and the second throttle valves are fully opened when the engine is operating under a heavy load.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 1976Date of Patent: July 26, 1977Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Yasuhiko Ishida