Abstract: Methods for improving the efficiency of internal combustion engines are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of improving the efficiency of an internal combustion comprises controlling the motion of an exhaust valve associated with a cylinder of the internal combustion engine. Camshafts and internal combustion engines configured for performing methods of the instant invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A belt drive is provided, especially a timing-belt drive for an internal-combustion engine, with a driving gear of a driveshaft, at least one driven gear of a driven shaft, and a belt means, wherein the driving or the driven gear imparts additional irregularity to the belt drive due to its noncircular shape and its phase position, which leads to stable running of the belt means. A noncircular gear that can be mounted easily and in phase, as well as with a fixed position, is realized in that the driving or driven noncircular gear has in its in-phase rotational position a rotationally fixed connection to its driving or driven shaft.

Abstract: A gas turbine includes a combustor, a combustor casing formed in a cylindrical shape to house the combustor therein, and a combustor insertion hole, which is a hole formed on a side periphery of the combustor casing, where a size thereof in a direction orthogonal to a circumferential direction of the combustor casing is formed larger than that in the circumferential direction of the combustor casing, and when the combustor inserted into the hole, a member moved together with the combustor, and the hole are viewed from a moving direction of the combustor, the hole includes an entire external form of the combustor and the member moved together with the combustor.

Abstract: In a fuel distributor assembly having a manifold (10) and at least one connecting nipple (12), which is welded to the manifold, for connecting a branch pipe to a transverse bore (16) leading through the wall of the manifold (10), an outer side of the connecting nipple transitions into the outer side of the manifold via an annular groove (26) that at least partially surrounds the outer side of the connecting nipple and is formed into the outer side of the manifold.

Abstract: A cover has an aperture through which an accessory gains access to the interior side of the cover and a cavity. The accessory may be any kind of sensor or actuator. To secure the accessory to the cover, an adapter coupled to the cover is provided. In one example, the adapter has a cylindrical connection section that is spin welded into place in the cavity. In another example, the adapter has self-tapping threads that engage with the surface surrounding the cavity. The adapter also has tabs extending outwardly from the cover, the tabs having a proximate section and an engagement section. The accessory has a retaining orifice that couples with the tabs in a snap-fit relationship to secure the accessory to the cover.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a carrier base having a lower portion configured as a crankcase and an upper portion having a number of upwardly directed assembly provisions such as a crankshaft bay and at least one cylinder deck, with the crankshaft bay and cylinder deck being arranged so that the engine may be assembled from a position above the engine, without the necessity of attaching connecting rods or crankshaft main bearing bolts from underneath the engine.

Abstract: A method is provided for forming intake manifolds for an internal combustion engine and for fastening such manifolds to the engines. The method includes: molding a plurality of identical ones of the intake manifolds, each one of the intake manifolds being molded with at least one hollow projection extending outwardly from an outer surface of the manifold, each one of the projections being molded with a cap at the distal end to seal the distal end of the hollow projection; removing the cap at a selected one or ones of the projections while leaving the cap on unselected one or ones of the projections; fastening each one of the intake manifolds to a corresponding one of a plurality of internal combustion engines; and for each one of the fastened intake manifolds, attaching a hose or hoses to the distal end or ends of the selected one or ones of the plurality of projections.

Abstract: An engine includes a cylinder head at least partially defining a valve seat pocket. A valve seat is located proximate to the cylinder head to at lest partially define the valve seat pocket. A pocket filler is located between the valve seat and the pocket insert such that the pocket filler occupies a substantial portion of the valve seat pocket. A pocket insert is attached to the cylinder head proximate to the valve seat pocket, such that the pocket insert lines at least a portion of the valve seat pocket.

Abstract: A method of forming an interstage seal including removing a diaphragm seal box (14) from a gas turbine compressor assembly (10) and removing a labyrinth sealing member (12) from the diaphragm seal box (14). An abradable material layer (34) may be deposited on the diaphragm seal box (14). A spray gun may be mounted in relation to an engine disk (16) of the gas turbine compressor assembly (10) for cold-spraying a quantity of particles toward the engine disk (16). The particles may be sprayed at a velocity sufficiently high to cause at least a portion of the quantity of particles to adhere to the engine disk (16). The spray gun may be controlled to deposit a quantity of particles on the compressor disk (16) to form a geometry (32) that will abrade the abradable material layer (34) during operation of the gas turbine compressor assembly (10). The geometry (32) abrading the abradable material layer (34) forms an interstage seal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for finish-machining of bearing positions on main bearing journals and connecting rod bearing journals of crankshafts for motor car engines, whereby the crankshafts have roundings between the bearing positions and transitions adjacent in each case to the bearing positions. The roundings are deep rolled with a deep rolling tool and then, while maintaining a distance interval to an individual transition in each case the bearing position concerned is machined with removal of material with a small cutting depth.

Abstract: A two-stroke engine includes a crankshaft that is rotatable about an axis, and an engine block that includes a combustion cylinder and a compression cylinder. A first piston is slidably disposed within the combustion cylinder and is operatively coupled to the crankshaft for reciprocating movement within the combustion cylinder through a power stroke during each rotation of the crankshaft about the axis. A second piston is slidably disposed within the compression cylinder and is operatively coupled to the crankshaft for reciprocating movement within the compression cylinder such that fresh air is received and compressed in the compression cylinder during each rotation of the crankshaft about the axis. A conduit provides fluid communication between the combustion cylinder and the compression cylinder, and a fuel injector is in communication with the combustion cylinder for admitting fuel into the combustion cylinder.

Abstract: The position of a passage separating member in the axial direction of the cylinder bores is determined by causing a spacer to contact a bottom surface of a water jacket. When the separating member is inserted in the water jacket, the width of the separating member is reduced due to elastic deformation, so that the separating member can be arranged in the water jacket. After being arranged, the separating member tightly contacts the inner surface of the water jacket due to elastic restoration force. The tight contact prevents the separating member from moving upward in the water jacket. As a result, coolant is prevented from moving between the upper portion and the lower portion with respect to the separating member. The advantages of separate cooling of the coolant in the upper and lower portions with respect to the separating member are obtained. This reliably reduces the temperature difference along the axial direction of the cylinder bore forming body.

Abstract: A subassembly of a system including an exhaust gas turbocharger system coupled with an internal combustion engine exhaust system, includes first and second components secured to each other, wherein the components are heated to an operational temperature by engine exhaust gases during engine operation. The components are secured to each other by or with a “low-melt material” whose melting temperature is less than the operational temperature, such that the low-melt material melts or at least loses its securing and/or positioning functionality upon operation of the engine and turbocharger system, and thus no longer performs any fastening or positioning function for the components. In some embodiments, temporary fasteners made of or including the low-melt material are employed for temporarily securing and positioning the components.

Abstract: An engine component is composed of an aluminum alloy containing silicon, and includes a plurality of primary-crystal silicon grains located on a slide surface. The plurality of primary-crystal silicon grains have an average crystal grain size of no less than about 12 ?m and no more than about 50 ?m.

Abstract: A brake piston system for pushing a brake piston into a brake caliper includes a housing including a handle section and a main section is coupled to the handle section. The handle section is graspable by a person. A backing plate is coupled to a front end of the housing. The backing plate is abutted against a front plate of the brake caliper. A ram assembly is mounted to the housing and extends through the backing plate. The ram assembly is abuttable against the brake piston of the brake caliper when the backing plate is abutted against the front plate. The ram assembly is actuated to push against the brake piston and force the brake piston into the brake caliper. An actuation assembly is coupled to the housing. The actuation assembly is actuated to actuate the ram assembly to advance the brake piston into the brake caliper.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for liquid cooling of an internal combustion engine (11) and a process for producing it. The apparatus of the invention comprises a cooling circuit (13) which comprises at least one cooling channel (23, 24, 41) for a liquid coolant which is in thermal contact with at least one component (12a, 12b, 31) of the internal combustion engine (11), wherein a wall of the cooling channel (23, 24, 41) which comes into contact with the coolant has a microstructured surface having a certain porosity and roughness at least in a subregion. According to the invention, such an apparatus is produced by constructing a cooling circuit for a liquid coolant which has cooling channels which can at least partly be brought into thermal contact with the internal combustion engine, wherein a microstructured surface is produced on at least part of the walls of the cooling channels which come into contact with the liquid coolant.

Abstract: A portable handheld work apparatus has at least one work tool which is driven by an internal combustion engine (2). The engine (2) has a crankcase (20) which is formed, at least in part, by a crankcase sump (28). The work apparatus has a housing component (4) of plastic. The crankcase sump (28) is made of metal and is injection molded into the housing component (4) of the work apparatus. The engine (2) has an ignition unit which includes an ignition module (31). A simple configuration of the work apparatus results when the ignition module (31) is fixed directly and electrically conductively to the metal crankcase sump (28). For making the work apparatus, at least one attachment element for attaching a work tool carrier is fixed on the crankcase sump (28) before the crankcase sump (28) is injection molded therearound by the material of the housing component (4).

Abstract: A modification method for reducing emissions from an annular shaped combustor of a gas turbine plant, having uniformly spaced circumferentially mounted premix burners (20), includes the steps of: removing at least one burner (20), thereby disrupting the spatial uniformity of the remaining the burners (20); and modifying the combustor air distribution system so as to compensate for the increased burner pressure drop of the remaining burners, thus enabling the modified combustor to operate at a load equivalent to the unmodified combustor. Emission reduction is enabled by the increase in the gas velocity of the burner for a given load further enabled by the flame stabilizing effect of disrupting the spatial uniformity.

Abstract: A fuel tank system, engine employing such a system, and related method of assembly are disclosed. In at least one embodiment, the fuel tank system includes a fuel tank, a mounting bracket, and at least three fastening devices. The tank includes an outer wall that defines an internal cavity, and first and second channels extending between first and second opposed outer surfaces of the wall through the cavity. The bracket has first and second protrusions, where the first and second protrusions respectively extend into the first and second channels, respectively. First and second ones of the fastening devices are respectively fastened to the first and second protrusions, respectively, so as to prevent movement of the protrusions out of the channels, thereby securing the bracket to the tank. A third of the fastening devices allows the bracket to be secured to another engine component.

Abstract: A spark plug orientation method may include forming a spark plug housing by advancing a tool a first distance in a first axial direction into a spark plug bore to create a spark plug seat using a seat forming portion of the tool. The tool may be displaced a second distance in a second axial direction generally opposite the first axial direction to provide a predetermined axial orientation between the thread forming portion of the tool and the spark plug seat. The spark plug bore may be engaged at a first predetermined rotational position and the tool may be displaced in an orbital motion and in the second axial direction at a predetermined rate to form a threading on the spark plug bore providing a starting point of the threading at a second predetermined rotational position proximate the spark plug seat.

Abstract: A crankcase for a multiple-cylinder four-cycle engine, including an upper crankcase and a lower crankcase which are joined to each other at a joint surface; a separating wall which is integrally cast with the upper crankcase and the lower crankcase to extend from the joint surface toward the opposite side of the joint surface and are configured to define crank chambers corresponding to adjacent cylinders; and a crank journal bearing hole which is formed on the separating wall and is configured to support a crankshaft. At least the separating wall formed in the upper crankcase has a thickness that increases from the joint surface of the crankcase to a region near a deepest portion of the crank journal bearing hole and decreases from the region near the deepest portion of the crank journal bearing hole toward the opposite side of the joint surface of the crankcase.

Abstract: A fuel injector with various embodiments of a annular damper member that reduces noise generated between a valve group subassembly and a power group subassembly during operation of the fuel injector. A mass annular damper member is also shown and described. A method of reducing sound in the valve group subassembly is also disclosed.

Abstract: An engine starter mounting structure is provided that basically has a starter housing part (3), a starter insertion part (9a), a first flange part (3a) and a second flange part (8a). The starter housing part (3) has an internal portion that at least partially houses a portion of a starter (1). The starter insertion part (9a) is arranged to provide access to the internal portion of the starter housing part (3) for inserting the portion of the starter (1) into the internal portion. The first flange part (3a) is disposed on an end portion of the starter housing part (3) with the first flange part (3a) including a fastening structure that is configured to fasten the starter (1) thereto. The second flange part (8a) is disposed in the internal portion of the starter housing part (3), with the second flange part (8a) having a bolt hole (8b) that is arranged and configured to receive a bolt (6) therethrough for interconnecting an engine and a transmission together.

Abstract: The present invention provides reduced fatigue stress levels in a stressed area of an engine crankcase by lowering the outer edges of the crankshaft bearing cap fracture-split lines without changing the central axis location of the crankshaft in the crankcase. This is accomplished by causing the fracture-split lines of the bearing caps to angle downward from the horizontal plane of the crankshaft axis to a slightly lower position at the outer edges of the bearing caps. This lowers the outer edges of the bearing caps sufficiently to allow larger radii to be formed on the lateral connectors of the crankcase support webs with the adjacent sidewalls of the crankcase. Accordingly, the fatigue stress levels in the crankcase web members are reduced without requiring a significant change in the crankcase dimensions.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an engine block, such as for an internal combustion engine, includes a step of removing material from a top deck of the engine block surrounding a cylinder bore to create a first removal area. Material is also removed from the top deck of the engine block surrounding at least one fluid passage to create a second removal area. An insert is positioned within a recessed area defined by the first removal area and the second removal area.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a thin wall isogrid or the like casing by a machining process includes the steps of mating a casing with a support, the said support having a substantially continuous support surface engaging at least part of the inner or outer surface of the casing and machining a plurality of recessed pockets in the inner or outer surface of the casing opposite the surface engaged by the said support. The support reacts loads acting on the casing by a machining tool during machining, thereby minimizing distortion of the casing and tearing of the pockets being formed. During the mating process, the casing is deformed such that the support surface engages substantially the whole of the inner or outer surface of the casing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the installation of an assembly, in particular of a balance shaft unit for the compensation of mass or torque for internal combustion engines in motor vehicles. The assembly includes a housing part having at least one bearing section, at least one rotating component and at least one rolling element bearing for the axially fixed journaling of the rotating component in the bearing section of the housing part. The bearing section is closed in the peripheral direction and is made in one piece. The rolling element bearing has a first ring section and a second ring section, with the first ring section being associated with the rotating component and the second ring section being associated with the bearing section of the housing part. The rolling element bearing is axially fixedly installed at the rotating component or in the bearing section of the housing part in a first installation step.

Abstract: A cobalt-rich wear resistant and corrosion resistant alloy comprises in weight %, 0.5 to 1.2% C, 0.6 to 2.1% Si, 17 to 24% Cr, 27 to 38.5% Fe, 1.4 to 20% W, 3.8 to 9.7% Mo, less than 1% Ni and balance Co. A preferred cobalt-rich alloy comprises in weight %, 0.5 to 0.9 C, 0.75 to 1.15% Si, 17.5 to 20.5 Cr, 27.0 to 32.0 Fe, 12.5 to 16.5 W, 6.25 to 8.25 Mo, 0.45 to 1.00 Ni and balance Co. The alloy preferably has a microstructure free of primary carbides and comprises up to about 50% by volume eutectic reaction phases in a solid solution matrix. The solid solution matrix is an ?Fe-?Co face-centered cubic solution with W, Cr and Mo as solute elements and the eutectic reaction products comprise a (Co, Cr)7(W,Mo)6 phase and an ?Fe-?Co phase. The alloy is useful as a valve seat insert for internal combustion engines such as diesel engines.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembling method for a timing system of an engine to wind a timing chain (30) around a sprocket (20) attached to a crankshaft (18) and a sprocket (24, 28) attached to a camshaft (22, 26).

Abstract: Coupling device (50) for hydraulically and mechanically coupling a fuel injector (20) to a fuel rail (14) of a combustion engine (22), the fuel injector (20) having a central longitudinal axis (L), the coupling device (50) having a fuel injector cup (30) being designed to be hydraulically coupled to the fuel rail (14) and to engage a fuel inlet portion (24) of the fuel injector (20), a first ring element (36) being fixedly coupled to the fuel injector cup (30), and a second ring element (38) being fixedly coupled to the fuel injector (20) and being fixedly coupled to the first ring element (36) to retain the fuel injector (20) in the fuel injector cup (30) in direction of the central longitudinal axis (L).

Abstract: A novel method and apparatus useful for the installation of a flame cone within a respective throughbore in the head of an ICE having a pre-ignition system without removal of the head from the ICE, followed by threading a spark plug into the outboard end of the flame cone. This installation is effected from a location external of the head and while the head is affixed in covering relationship to one or more combustion chambers of the internal combustion engine. The installation further comprises employing unique interconnection between the flame cone and an installation tool. The flame cone includes a rotational position indicator which is aligned with an exit port in the flame cone and which contributes to the exclusivity of mating interconnection with the tool in a manner which converts rotational movements of the tool to like rotational movements of the flame cone, hence like rotation of the location of the exit port.

Abstract: The assembly method includes packaging of items for shipment and secures components of the assembly in a fashion and in the related position required for further assembly, as a unit, to an engine that is in the process of being assembled. The timed assembly arrives at the engine plant secured together such that it allows handling, at least in part, as a single component and with its parts arranged in the relative position required for proper timing and for securing to other components of the engine. The chain (44) is pinned between a tensioner pin (66) and the tensioner chain contacting surface (60) and between a guide pin (74) and the guide or snubber chain contacting surface (88). The tensioner is preferably pinned in a state of minimum extension.

Abstract: A cylinder block has at least two cylinder banks each having cylinder bores arranged in at least two directions relative to an axis for a crankshaft. A rotator on which the cylinder block is securely disposed has a convex rounded surface. When the rotator rotates, the convex rounded surface moves along a concave rounded surface of a rotator-holding base. As a result of the rotation, the cylinder bores of the first bank or the cylinder bores of the second bank face upward in the vertical direction. Accordingly, with a single spray gun, sprayed coatings can be formed on inner surfaces of the cylinder bores of the first and second banks without having to change a mounting position of the cylinder block.

Abstract: An internal combustion engines includes a cylinder carrier with a deck surface, and a crankshaft and a camshaft mounted within the cylinder carrier. A number of valve lifter sleeves are mounted in a depending orientation within bores formed in the deck surface. The lifter sleeves are maintained in contact with the cylinder carrier by cylinder assemblies superimposed upon the sleeves and the cylinder carrier's deck. Valve lifters housed within the lifter sleeves conduct both high-pressure oil running through push rods to an upper portion of the engine cylinder, and low-pressure oil exiting the cylinder. The lifters conduct the low pressure oil to the camshaft's lobes for lubrication purposes.

Abstract: An engine includes a camshaft with outer and inner elongate members. The outer elongate member can include a lobe that actuates a valve. The inner elongate member can be axially disposed within a passageway defined by the outer elongate member. The inner elongate member can be movable relative to the outer elongate member. A tab can be attached to the inner elongate member and can extend into an aperture defined by the outer elongate member. Crankshaft and camshaft pulleys can be respectively attached to the crankshaft and camshaft. A flexible transmitter can be routed over the camshaft pulley, a first deflection member, the crankshaft pulley, and a second deflection member. A first deflection actuator can be engaged with the first deflection member and can facilitate variation in a phase relationship between the camshaft and crankshaft pulleys. A vehicle may also be provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a balance shaft unit for mass balancing for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle including at least one balance shaft having at least one balance weight and a housing part in which the balance shaft is journaled. A first gear is associated with the balance shaft and meshes with a second gear. An introduction passage is formed in the housing part through which, starting from an assembly opening, at least one of the two gears can be introduced into the interior of the housing part, with the introduction passage extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the balance shaft. The first gear and the second gear are arranged sequentially with respect to the direction of extent of the introduction passage.

Abstract: A passage intake control device includes a passage member, a valve disposed in the passage member and a shaft passing through a through hole of a valve shaft part of the valve. The valve shaft part includes a fitting hole portion as a part of the through hole. The fitting hole portion is provided by at least a first wall, a second wall, a third wall and a fourth wall. The shaft includes a fitting part having a polygonal shape including at least a first shaft surface a second shaft surface, a third shaft surface and a fourth shaft surface. The fitting part is fitted in the fitting hole portion such that the first to fourth shaft surfaces are opposed to the first to fourth walls of the fitting hole portion, respectively. The first and second walls have protruded ribs. The third and fourth walls include flat portions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a balancing shaft for an internal combustion engine and to a method for the production thereof. In this case, the balancing shaft consists of a tubular hollow body and contains a balancing weight and also functional elements arranged on the hollow body. In order to design a balancing shaft in as simple a manner as possible, which balancing shaft is designed to save construction space and in which the adequate balancing weight is arranged at the suitable location in accordance with the requirements, it is proposed that the balancing weight be arranged on the outer circumference of the hollow body and that it be fastened there.

Abstract: An internal combustion engine is disclosed, having at least one combustion chamber disposed in an engine casing. At least one fuel injector is mounted to the engine casing for supplying fuel to the at least one combustion chamber. The at least one fuel injector has at least one fuel supply inlet. A fuel supply assembly is mounted to the at least one fuel injector. The assembly is mounted adjacent to the at least one fuel injector for supplying the fuel to the fuel injector. The assembly has at least one fuel supply outlet. The assembly is mounted to the at least one fuel injector by a cooperative fit, such that the at least one fuel supply inlet and the at least one fuel supply outlet align in a sealed relationship to allow fluid communication therebetween. A method of assembling an engine is also disclosed.

Abstract: An air filter system is provided for a vehicle. The air filter system includes, but is not limited to a raw air duct, a filter housing with an air filter element, and a filtered air duct to an internal combustion engine. The raw air duct and the filtered air duct are connected to a corresponding raw air inlet or a filtered air outlet of the filter housing. The air filter system with filter housing and raw air duct is disposed as a structural unit partly in the engine compartment and partly in an air intake region separate from the engine compartment. An adapter of the air filter system supported on the bodywork of the vehicle is disposed in a transition zone from the engine compartment to the air intake region.

Abstract: A fuel injector mounting assembly is configured to limit or constrain movement of a fuel injector relative to a corresponding cylinder assembly. For example, the fuel injector mounting assembly includes a base that is secured to a cylinder assembly's housing and a fuel conduit. The fuel conduit includes a first fuel conduit portion which operates in conjunction with a cylinder assembly's fuel manifold to capture a fuel injector between the fuel injector mounting assembly and the cylinder assembly's fuel manifold. The fuel conduit also includes a second fuel conduit portion which is secured to a compliant fuel line. With such a configuration of the fuel injector mounting assembly, both ends of the fuel injector are secured to the cylinder assembly to minimize any relative motion in the fuel injector's seals relative to either the cylinder assembly's fuel manifold or to the compliant fuel line.

Abstract: A throttle valve assembly is held within a passageway in a throttle body. The assembly includes a plate and a pivot shaft. The pivot shaft extends through the mounting receptacle and engages with the throttle body. A method of making a series of throttle bodies includes molding multiple like bodies having first and second passageway portions. The first portions are sized to receive butterfly valves of a standard size. The second portions, positioned downstream from the first portions, have cross sectional openings equal to or smaller than the first portions. The second portions are machined or molded to various sizes adapted to flow fluid into the in-take ports of various size engines.

Abstract: The invention relates to an internal combustion engine (1) comprising a housing (2) having at least one opening (4) into its inside, which is preferably the engine-oil feed inlet, and with a camshaft (5), mounted inside the housing for rotation about its geometric shaft. The camshaft (5) and the housing (2) have means cooperating with each other and with a device for locking a turnable shaft (6) with respect to the housing, insertable through this opening. In a second embodiment of the present invention, the device consists of a rod (6), the cooperating means in the housing consist in a bore (7) for receiving an end of the rod (6), and the cooperating means on the cam shaft consist of a notch (9) made in the surface of the shaft, which cooperates with the rod. In this way, when there is a need to adjust, repair and/or replace engine (1) components, the rod (6) is inserted through the opening (4) and locked in this bore (7) of the housing (2).

Abstract: A turbocharger system for a combustion engine and method of installing a turbocharger system includes a turbocharger having an oil inlet and an oil outlet configured for being coupled to an oiling system. An oil pump is connected to the oil outlet of the turbocharger and is further connected to the oiling system. The turbocharger system also includes mounting hardware for mounting the turbocharger to an exhaust pipe away from the engine at or below the oil level of the oiling system. In one embodiment, the method of installing the turbocharger system includes removing an existing muffler from the vehicle and mounting the turbocharger at or near the location of the existing muffler.

Abstract: A work-assembling auxiliary device for carrying out the matching of phases in the spline-coupling of a main shaft Sm of a transmission T to a crankshaft Sc of an engine E includes an output shaft 40 radially movably connected through an Oldham coupling 41 to an input shaft 30 connected to and rotated by a drive source. A chamfer 61a is provided at a tip end of a socket 61 mounted on the output shaft 40, and in inserting the socket 61 into a socket hole h in a crank pulley Pc, the output shaft 40 is smoothly aligned with the crankshaft Sc by the action of the chamfer 61a. Further, when the output shaft 40 is reciprocally rotated, the phases of the socket 61 and the socket hole h are smoothly matched with each other, whereby the engagement of the socket 61 and the socket hole h is achieved.

Abstract: The engine block for an internal combustion engine is fabricated from laminated pieces of material instead of cast iron or cast aluminum. This provides extreme flexibility of the design of individual engines. Each lamination piece can be designed to complex three dimensional structures and/or passages. The lamination material itself can be changed to improve strength, thermal conductivity, reduce cost, or any other parameter of interest to those skilled in the art.

Abstract: At least one transfer channel (9, 29) is formed in the cylinder wall (4, 24) of the cylinder (1, 21) for a two-stroke engine. The transfer channel (9, 29) is closed to the cylinder outer side (5, 25) by a cover (10, 30). The method for making the cylinder (1, 21) provides that the cover (10, 30) is assembled in a first step on the cylinder (1, 21) and, in a second step, the cylinder bore (3, 23) is machined.

Abstract: A spark plug is provided with a metal shell and a ceramic insulator to support therein a center electrode. The ceramic insulator includes a front portion with a stepped outer surface, a middle portion, a rear portion and a shoulder portion defined between the middle and rear portions. A difference between the outer diameters of the middle and rear portions of the ceramic insulator is 1.8 mm or smaller. The metal shell includes a radially inward protrusion to retain thereon the stepped outer surface of the ceramic insulator and a rear end portion crimped onto the shoulder portion of the ceramic insulator. An inner circumferential surface of the crimped shell portion has a region held in contact with the insulator shoulder portion with a radially innermost point of the crimped shell portion being spaced radially apart from the ceramic insulator and axially apart from the insulator shoulder portion.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing an engine wall structure that includes an inner wall, to which hot gas is admitted during engine operation, an outer wall, which is colder than the inner wall during engine operation, and at least two webs that connect the inner wall with the outer wall and delimit a cooling duct between the walls. The engine wall structure is produced by wire-electro discharge machining the duct out of a solid sheet forming the entire engine wall structure including the inner wall, the outer wall and the webs.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing fluid passages of engines is disclosed. Preferred apparatus of the invention are able to automatically recognize inlets of several fluid passages, which exist in each engine at different positions depending on the engine model, and rapidly and precisely perform operation of closing the inlets at the recognized positions using a caulking device and a robot, thus enhancing manufacturing productivity of the engine.