Cranks And Wrist Pins Patents (Class 74/595)
  • Patent number: 6276232
    Abstract: A stroke length regulator of small dimensions and simple construction, provided with a cam for converting an eccentric movement into a reciprocating movement, a cylindrical body around which this cam is fitted, and a crank member fitted slidably in this cylindrical body and having a cam guide portion for varying an eccentric position of the cam and an outer circumferential surface portion contacting an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2001
    Assignee: Nikkiso Company Limited
    Inventors: Manabu Yokomichi, Eiichi Nagayama
  • Patent number: 6196085
    Abstract: A method and mechanism are disclosed for coupling an accessory to an engine crankshaft. To avoid the cost of machining splines on the crankshaft 10, the 14 end of the crankshaft 10 is formed as a cylindrical spigot. A separately formed splined pressed steel sleeve 16 is then mounted on the end 14 of the crankshaft 10 with interference fit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2001
    Assignees: Cummins Engine Company Ltd, Iveco (UK) Ltd., New Holland U.K. Ltd.
    Inventors: Nikos Chimonides, Damian P. Smith
  • Patent number: 6173628
    Abstract: A multi-piece crankshaft having a main shaft with two ends adapted to rotate about its axis. A crankpin also has two ends and an axis parallel to but radially spaced from the axis of the main shaft. At least one counterweight extends between one end of the shaft and one end of the crankpin and this counterweight is formed by casting a liquid metal around the ends of the main shaft and crankpin in a molding chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Panther Machine, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald G. Leith
  • Patent number: 6076423
    Abstract: A bellcrank mechanism (52) for applications in which unequal transverse forces (F.sub.i, F.sub.o) act on the two legs of a bellcrank support clevis includes a bellcrank bracket (64), a bellcrank (54) having a support clevis (56), and a set of bearings (84a, 84b) having unequal load bearing areas (99a, 99b). The bearings are installed in apertures (80) in the support clevis and are axially clamped to the support bracket to pivotably and transversely support the bellcrank so that relative pivotal motion occurs at the interface (102a, 102b) between the exterior surface (99a, 99b) of each bearing and the perimeter surface (100a, 100b) of the corresponding clevis aperture (80). The bearing having the larger load bearing area is aligned with the larger transverse force and the bearing with the smaller load bearing area is aligned with the smaller transverse force to improve the durability and reliability of the bellcrank mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: United Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Keith T. Honda
  • Patent number: 6062733
    Abstract: A wrist-pin, in which the inner tubular area is traversed by intersecting plates that traverse at the rotating axis and extending along at least a portion of the length, and thereby, said inner tubular area is divided into longitudinal sections. Ideally, the connecting-rod is positioned and affixed to the wrist-pin so that the first of such plates form traversed alignment with length of the connecting-rod, for directly transmitting forces from the piston, through said first plate, to the connecting-rod, whereas such forces are no longer effectively exerted upon the upper circular asymmetry of the wrist-pin, to prevent flexing of the wrist-pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Inventor: Daniel L. Cobble
  • Patent number: 6029540
    Abstract: A flange portion formed on an inner periphery of a flywheel is facet-fitted to an end of a crankshaft. A spline piece is facet-fitted to an inner peripheral surface of the flywheel. The flange portion of the flywheel and a flange portion of the spline piece are commonly fastened to the end of the crankshaft by bolts. An upper end of a driving shaft is spline-fitted at a point into a driving shaft coupled portion of the spline piece which is accommodated in an internal hole in the crankshaft. Thus, in coaxially coupling the flywheel and the driving shaft to the end of the crankshaft, it is possible to make such a coupled area compact and to reduce vibration by an accurate centering thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaki Tsunoda, Koji Koishikawa
  • Patent number: 6029541
    Abstract: In a reciprocating machine having piston/cylinder units arranged in line, a cam member having diametrically opposed cams is fixed to a crankshaft with the cam member arranged in a central transverse plane. A balancing mass is in contact with the cam member by way of a cam roller. The cam roller is maintained in permanent contact with the cam member by a compression spring which is seated against the machine. The cams are identical and neutralize second order free inertial forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 29, 2000
    Assignee: Dr. Schrick GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Schrick, Barna Hanula
  • Patent number: 5910195
    Abstract: An end cap assembly for an air compressor driven by an internal combustion engine has a crankshaft structure provided with a shaft, an end cap disposed around the shaft, a first set of ball bearings mounted in the end cap for disposition around the shaft and a second set of ball bearings mounted in the end cap and spaced from the first set of ball bearings for disposition around the shaft. A crankshaft seal and bearing spacer arrangement is disposed around the shaft between the first and second sets of ball bearings for blocking passage of air and oil from the engine, and preventing the first and second sets of ball bearings from contacting each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Lance W. Ziemer, Kenneth W. Kujawski
  • Patent number: 5907981
    Abstract: An improved crank apparatus for an internal combustion engine having a crankshaft, an arm extending outwardly of the crankshaft, a crank pin affixed to the arm, a sleeve member having an elongated slot formed therein so as to receive the crank pin therein, and a piston rod with a circular bearing area receiving the sleeve member therein. The crank pin has a generally rectangular configuration with first and second tabs extending outwardly from opposite sides of the crank pin. The first tab has an outer surface with a length greater than a thickness of the crank pin. The crank pin is slidable in the elongated slot during the rotation of the crankshaft. The circular bearing area has an insert key positioned therein. the insert key bears on a surface of the sleeve member during the rotation of the crankshaft. The insert key contacts the outer surface of the first tab during at least a portion of the rotation of the crankshaft so as to cause the crank pin to slide longitudinally through the elongated slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventor: John Bell
  • Patent number: 5865070
    Abstract: An adjustment stroke connection for a mechanical press with an eccentric bushing is disposed within a press connection member with a second eccentric member disposed within the eccentric bushing. A rotatable crankshaft is connected to the second eccentric member. A mechanism is included for connecting the eccentric bushing with the press connection member to prevent rotation therebetween and permitting rotation of the second eccentric member with the eccentric bushing whereby rotation of the crankshaft, when the mechanism is activated, causes a press stroke adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1999
    Assignee: The Minster Machine Company
    Inventors: John B. Bornhorst, Richard J. Oen, Edward A. Daniel
  • Patent number: 5685203
    Abstract: A compressor running gear and method for assembling the running gear. The running gear includes a split housing having a first housing portion having a first wall and a second wall. Each wall includes at least one shoulder and a shroud. The split housing also includes a second housing portion adapted to be mated with the first housing portion, the first and second housing portions together define a housing chamber. The running gear also includes a crank assembly located in the housing chamber. The crank assembly includes first and second bearing carriers which are mounted on a crankshaft. Each of the bearing carriers has at least one arm adapted to be seated on the at least one shoulder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1997
    Assignee: Ingersoll-Rand Company
    Inventors: Russell D. Richardson, Rick G. Tatum
  • Patent number: 5664464
    Abstract: To boost RPM and to minimize the back and forth transfer of kinetic energy between a crank and a connector/reciprocating member in mechanisms having a stroke that is four times the crankpin offset, a connector which attaches the reciprocating member to the crank is weighted with counterweights to produce an effective connector center of mass at a location on the connector that, while rotating around the crankpin defines a motion perpendicular to the oscillation of the reciprocating member such that the resulting translational inertia of the connector is equal to but perpendicular and ninety degrees out of phase with the translational inertia of the reciprocating member so that their combined kinetic energy is constant, thus resulting in a zero transfer in energy between the crank and the connector/reciprocating member through each revolution unless external force is applied to the crank or to the reciprocating member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1997
    Inventor: Douglas Timothy Carson
  • Patent number: 5630340
    Abstract: A split big end arrangement for the connecting rod of a reciprocating machine wherein the connecting rod's center of gravity is offset from a plane perpendicular to a plane containing the axes of the bearing portions of the connecting rod and passing through the center of the small bearing end. The threaded fasteners holding the halves of the connecting rod together lie in the plane with the center of gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Masahiko Iikura
  • Patent number: 5625945
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a crankshaft for a combustion engine with several cylinders, especially for a large diesel engine, the crankshaft including for each cylinder a crank web unit comprising crank webs transverse with regard to the crankshaft and a crank pin connecting the crank webs. Separate crank web units are assembled one at a time to a uniform shaft blank corresponding to the entire length of the crankshaft and having a different diameter in different points so that the diameter is at its biggest in the central part of the shaft blank and decreases towards the both ends thereof. First a crank web unit intended to the point of the shaft blank with the biggest diameter is installed and fixed to its place and after that crank web units intended always in the order of their diameter to the next biggest points are installed and fixed to both sides thereof. Lastly the portions located between the crank webs of each crank web unit at the position of the crank pin are machined away from the shaft blank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1997
    Assignee: Wartsila Diesel International Ltd. OY
    Inventor: Daniel Paro
  • Patent number: 5555777
    Abstract: An improved crank apparatus for a crankshaft of a diesel engine including an arm extending outwardly of the crankshaft, a crank pin affixed to the arm and having a generally rectangular configuration, a split sleeve having a slot formed therein so as to receive the crank pin therein, and a piston rod affixed to the split sleeve and having an insert key affixed thereto so as to reside within the split sleeve in contact with the crank pin during a rotation of the crankshaft. The crank pin includes a first tab extending outwardly therefrom and a second tab extending outwardly from an opposite side of the crank pin. The first and second tabs extend through an opening formed in the split sleeve from the slot. These tabs include chamfered edges extending away from the generally rectangular configuration. The insert key is positioned so as to reside within an interior area of the split sleeve as the crankshaft rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1996
    Inventor: John Bell
  • Patent number: 5522246
    Abstract: A process for cold forming tubular axles comprises placing a tubular blank within an open ended die having a constricted die throat, and pushing the blank through the die throat with a punch. The punch is provided with a portion that presses the blank axially through the die throat. In addition, the punch has at least one extension which is closely fitted within the blank so that as the punch pushes a portion of the tube axially through the die throat, the extension is arranged within the die throat to form an annular space between the extension and the die throat. The punch extension is substantially elliptical in cross-section while the die throat is substantially circular in cross-section. Thus, the portion of the blank extruded through the space is formed with a substantially circular exterior wall and a substantially elliptical interior wall which provides diametrically opposing thicker wall sections and diametrically opposing thinner wall sections that are 90.degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1996
    Assignee: U.S. Manufacturing Corporation
    Inventor: Norina A. Simon
  • Patent number: 5481942
    Abstract: A crankshaft of a V-type 6-cylinder internal combustion engine including first to sixth crank pins connected with connecting rods, having first to fourth crank journals between the first to sixth crank pins, and first to ninth crank arms between first to sixth crank pins and the first to fourth crank journals, the combination including a first balance weight provided to the first crank arm, a center of gravity of the first balance weight being mal-distributed to a lower part with respect to a center axis of the crankshaft, a second balance weight provided to the second crank arm, a center of gravity of the second balance weight being mal-distributed to a lower part, and deviated from the first balance weight in a counterclockwise direction, third and fourth balance weights provided respectively to the fourth crank arm and sixth crank arm, the centers of gravity of the third and fourth balance weights being mal-distributed to be orthogonal to the center of gravity of the first balance weight in a clockwise dir
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Sungyoon Baek
  • Patent number: 5480252
    Abstract: A coupling mechanism for quickly coupling a rotor body to its drive and driven journals and obtaining radial and axial alignment thereof in a closely confined space is provided. The coupling mechanism includes a split ring collar and a clamping ring securely holding in appropriate placement a chamfered split ring for radially and axially aligning the rotor and the journals, referred to as co-axial alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Farrel Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas W. Poscich, Douglas E. Mosher
  • Patent number: 5465635
    Abstract: A crankshaft assembly for an internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft, an elastic member fixed to the crankshaft, and a flywheel fixed to the elastic member such that the flywheel is supported in an elastic relationship with the crankshaft. The elastic member has a rigidity in its rotating direction large enough to effectively transmit a driving power to a transmission through a clutch. On the other hand, the elastic member has a rigidity in an axial direction of the crankshaft small enough to shift a resonance frequency of a bending vibration out of a target frequency band of a forced vibration, while ensuring to prevent a failure of disengagement of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Atsugi Unisia Corporation
    Inventors: Satoshi Kono, Shizuaki Hidaka, Tetsu Takahashi
  • Patent number: 5461940
    Abstract: A balancing arrangement for a reciprocating machine such as an internal combustion engine employed in the powerhead of an outboard motor. The balancing arrangement includes a balancing shaft rotatably journalled at the interface between the cylinder block and crankcase and which is offset to one side of the crankshaft from which it is driven. The balancer shaft has balancing masses which pass between the cheeks of the throws of the crankshaft during rotation so as to provide a compact assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Sanshin Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Toshimasa Morita
  • Patent number: 5426998
    Abstract: A crank shaft is constructed only at the surface layer of a journal portion with a hard nitride layer, so that the resultant crank shaft is available at a low cost, not so heavy and excellent in durability in comparison with a case employing a hard material for the whole crank shaft. Also, a method of manufacturing a crank shaft according to the present invention employs fluorinating process prior to nitriding process to change a passive coat layer, such as oxide layer on the surface of the journal portion to a fluoride layer, which protects the same surface. Therefore, even when there is space of time between formation of fluoride on the surface of the journal portion and nitriding process, the fluoride layer protects and keeps the surface of the journal portion in a favorable condition, resulting in that re-formation of oxide layer on that surface is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: Daidousanso Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Yoshino
  • Patent number: 5415492
    Abstract: A coupling mechanism for quickly coupling a rotor body to its drive and driven journals and thereby obtaining radial and axial alignment thereof in a closely confined space is provided. The coupling mechanism includes a split ring collar and a clamping ring securely holding in appropriate placement a chamfered split ring for radially and axially aligning the rotor and the journals, hereinafter referred to as co-axial alignment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: Farrel Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas V. Poscich, Douglas E. Mosher
  • Patent number: 5351576
    Abstract: A crankshaft mechanism for use with a press having a slide member, which includes an eccentric crankshaft. In one form of the mechanism, the crankshaft has a cylindrical eccentric portion. An eccentric sheave is rotatably mounted on the circumference of the eccentric portion so that its center is displaced radially from the center of the eccentric portion. A connecting member is rotatably mounted on the circumference of the sheave. The eccentric portion, sheave, and connecting member have pin-receiving bores whose axes intersect the crankshaft axis. The bores in the crankshaft and connecting rod are both aligned with the sheave bores when the crankshaft and the sheave are in predetermined angular positions. Lock pins in the eccentric portion bore are selectively engageable with the sheave bores to fix the sheave to the eccentric portion. Lock pins in the connecting rod bore are selectively engageable with the sheave bores to fix the sheave to the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1994
    Assignee: Aida Engineering, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Matsui, Shozo Imanishi
  • Patent number: 5343777
    Abstract: This invention is directed to an improved eccentric crank assembly for a reciprocating piston type air compressor. The eccentric crank assembly includes an eccentric plate, a compressor shaft, and an eccentric shaft. The eccentric plate is provided with a pair of parallel overlapping openings formed therethrough. The compressor shaft includes one end provided with a flat angled surface, and the eccentric shaft includes one end provided with a corresponding flat angled surface. The angled surface ends of the shafts are disposed within the openings of the plate. When the eccentric shaft is moved away from the compressor shaft, the angled flat surfaces force the shafts radially apart and into engagement with the openings of the eccentric plate, thereby locking the shafts and the eccentric plate together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: DeVilbiss Air Power Company
    Inventors: Mark W. Wood, Brian M. Steurer
  • Patent number: 5333580
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has a crankcase, an output crankshaft, and an input shaft assembly. The input shaft assembly has an input shaft and a crank plate press-fit connected to the input shaft. The crank plate comprises a single sheet metal member with slightly elongate radial slots adapted to receive the crankpin of the output crankshaft. The slots are open ended to allow for misalignment between the output crankshaft and the input shaft whereby the crankpin can longitudinally move in its crank plate slot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Assignee: Textron Inc.
    Inventor: John W. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 5299469
    Abstract: An adjustable linkage assembly has a longitudinally extending body member with a central section and a spaced pair of flattened portions at each end thereof. An opening is formed in each of the flattened portions and one of the openings is elongated. Each opening receives a trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Amanda Bent Bolt Co.
    Inventors: Morris A. Meyer, Wilbur L. Darst
  • Patent number: 5293684
    Abstract: A crankshaft having a high stress portion including a crankpin and an eccentric. The high stress portion is formed of a forged steel material having a first axial end. A reduced stress portion is formed from an unforged steel material and generally comprises a tubular cylindrical portion having a second axial end. The first axial end is secured to the second axial end by friction welding. A separate counterweight is attached to either the high stress portion or the reduced stress portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1994
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Emanuel D. Fry
  • Patent number: 5289758
    Abstract: The design and construction of past piston assemblies having a wrist pin retained by a pair of snap rings positioned in a groove. Other past piston assemblies have a stubpin or cap positioned within a bore of a piston member or the wrist pin. In these applications the stubpin or cap is in continuous contact along the interface between the bore and the stubpin or cap. The present invention provides a device for retaining a wrist pin within a pair of bores of a piston member during operation of an engine. The device includes a shank portion having an outer portion thereon and only the outer portion of the shank portion being in contact with an inner surface of the wrist pin. The device and the wrist pin forming a wrist pin assembly. Thus, the device remains positioned within the inner surface and properly positioned the wrist pin assembly within the bores during operation of an engine within a bore of a cylinder liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Willibald G. Berlinger
  • Patent number: 5259347
    Abstract: Two embodiments of compact engine assemblies wherein the engine output shaft drives a driveshaft to which a flywheel is affixed. The flywheel is positioned closely adjacent one end of the engine output shaft and the engine output shaft drives the driveshaft by a gear drive that is positioned between the end main bearing of the engine output shaft and the first adjacent intermediate main bearing for limiting torsional stresses on the driveshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Manabu Kobayashi, Keitaroh Hayashi
  • Patent number: 5237892
    Abstract: A crankshaft having a high stress portion including a crankpin and an eccentric. The high stress portion is formed of a forged steel material having a first axial end. A reduced stress portion is formed from an unforged steel material and generally comprises a tubular cylindrical portion having a second axial end. The first axial end is secured to the second axial end by friction welding. A separate counterweight is attached to either the high stress portion or the reduced stress portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Emanuel D. Fry
  • Patent number: 5207120
    Abstract: A tubular shaft has a portion of reduced inner diameter at a location where joining to an apertured member is desired. The aperture in the member is lobed with splines in the lobes and has an undercut groove, or groove and is hardened. The shaft is inserted in the aperture and the reduced inner diameter portion is expanded to force the shaft material into the lobes and groove and around the splines to form a connection which resists torque and axial separation. The tube expansion is effected by forcing a series of balls through the reduced diameter portion, each ball being slightly larger than the reduced diameter and larger than the previous ball but smaller than the remainder of the shaft I.D. A crankshaft is assembled with this method wherein counterweights have lobed apertures to receive end portions of crank pins and main journals having reduced I.D.'s.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Philip D. Arnold, Roy G. Kaywood
  • Patent number: 5203230
    Abstract: A crankshaft for an internal-combustion engine has crankshaft webs provided with recesses. The recesses are molded into the crankshaft webs in each case symmetrically with respect to a vertical longitudinal center plane oppositely within a clear outer contour of the crankshaft webs. In the area of the recesses, the sections are constructed as a U-shaped profile with side legs. Between the recesses of the crankshaft webs arranged above one another, a reinforcing rib is arranged in the overlapping area of the crank pin and the journal. As a result of the recesses in each crankshaft web which are arranged in a targeted manner, a reduction in weight is made possible with effective mass compensation. The recesses are arranged above one another such that in the endangered area of each crankshaft web, a cross-section is built up that is as large as possible and can absorb the flexural and torsional load in a defined manner, despite the maximally large recesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Ing. h. c. F. Porsche AG
    Inventor: Winfried Distelrath
  • Patent number: 5203228
    Abstract: A joint structure is provided between a crankshaft rotated within a crankcase of an engine and a connecting rod an end of which is jointed to the crankshaft via a bearing and the other end of which is jointed to a piston reciprocated within a cylinder of the engine. The large end of the crankshaft is provided with an aperture for receiving the crankpin at the other periphery of the crankshaft. The bearing is positioned at the inner periphery of the aperture, and comprises a plurality of needle rollers made of a ceramic material having silicon nitride as one of the main ingredients. A cage is provided for positioning and retaining the plurality of needle rollers at equal intervals along its periphery. The bearing is lubricated by a lubricant contained within a gas mixture supplied to the engine. Since the needle rollers of the bearing are composed of a very hard, light, and heat-resistive material, the junction structure is more reliable and runs well under severe conditions over a longer period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1993
    Assignee: Koyo Seiko Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuyuki Miyawaki, Fukumitsu Kitauchi
  • Patent number: 5199318
    Abstract: A crankshaft and connecting rod assembly, and method of assembling same, including a crankshaft having a tapered end, a crankpin, and a one piece connecting rod having a large end that is slipped over the tapered end of the crankshaft and onto the crankpin. A radially protruding portion is formed on the crankpin such that a leading face of the bearing assembly of the large end abuts the protruding portion. Thereafter, a retaining pin is inserted into a radially extending hole in the crankshaft such that the retaining pin retains a second and opposite bearing surface of the large end of the connecting rod, thereby preventing the connecting rod from excessive axial movement along the crankpin. The retaining pin is preferably a spring-like roll pin that is resiliently and frictionally press fit into the hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: Tecumseh Products Company
    Inventor: Eric B. Hudson
  • Patent number: 5195398
    Abstract: A crankshaft for a V-type engine including crankshaft counterweights which are angularly aligned with respect to the crank arms and sized to reduce the weight of the crankshaft and facilitate lubrication of the crankshaft main journals supported in the main bearings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dale E. Murrish, Thomas M. Briolat
  • Patent number: 5193501
    Abstract: A method for assembling and preloading shaft assemblies that are supported by bearings in reciprocating internal combustion engines and the resulting improved shaft assembly. The method is comprised of the steps of: placing a spring element (21) on one end of the shaft (10) wherein said spring element (21) is arranged and configured to fill any gap between the shaft (10) and the bearings (14, 15) that could arise from the accumulation of design tolerances in the shaft assembly components and arranged and configured to always exert a positive load on the shaft (10) to reduce the axial movement of the shaft (10); and securing the shaft (10) between the bearings (14, 15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Onan Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony T. Klejeski, Curtis D. Leaf, James I. R. Butcher
  • Patent number: 5193414
    Abstract: An assembled shaft in the case of which sleeves are inserted into tubular members for the purpose of connecting tubular portions inserted into each other or abutting each other and/or for attaching elements slid on to the tubular members, which sleeves are radially deformable beyond their limit of elasticity by internal pressure application. This assembled shaft includes sleeves each having a cylindrical portion for resting against the tubular member as well as end faces with round apertures for sealing on a reduced diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Mannesmann Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Helmut Swars
  • Patent number: 5189927
    Abstract: A continuously variable drive transmission which includes journals and counterweights which are simultaneously displaced in opposite radial directions by operation of a cam keyed to a rotatable operating shaft extending axially through a crankshaft to vary the eccentricities of each connecting rod big-end and thus vary the throw of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1993
    Inventor: Michael J. Egan
  • Patent number: 5176044
    Abstract: A connection and two step method of manufacturing is disclosed for a drive unit for a wiper arm system which consists of a wiper shaft mounted in a bore through a crank arm. The wiper shaft is formed with a groove disposed within the thickness of the crank arm and material from one surface of the crank arm is displaced to form an annular recess which causes crank arm material adjacent the groove to be radially displaced into a groove formed in the wiper shaft to form an axial holding element. The radial distance R1 of the recess from the crank arm bore is substantially equal to the axial distance A1 of the groove below the one crank arm surface to facilitate the extruding process. Knurled areas on the shaft on either side of the groove are press fit into the crank arm bore as a first step in assembling the shaft to the crank arm, bringing a flange into abutment against the other surface of the crank arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: SWF Auto-Electric GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Bauer, Wilhelm Dorr, Reinhard Edele, Werner Pfitzenmaier, Christian Roth, Eckhardt Schmid
  • Patent number: 5163341
    Abstract: A crankshaft for a V-type engine comprises an intermediate main journal which is rotatably supported in a main bearing, a primary crankpin, a pair of crankarms, and a second crankpin. The intermediate main journal has a primary boundary plane extending between the longitudinal axis of the intermediate main journal and the outer surface of the intermediate main journal. The intermediate main journal also has a secondary boundary plane extending between the longitudinal axis of the intermediate main journal to the outer surface of the intermediate main journal. A main cross passage extends through the intermediate main journal. The main cross passage is contained in a radial plane of the intermediate main journal. The main cross passage is oriented with respect to the primary and secondary crankpins so that the ends of the main cross passage are between the sides of the primary and secondary boundary planes which face the primary crankpin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Dale E. Murrish, Thomas M. Briolat, Mark D. Griffin
  • Patent number: 5156068
    Abstract: A bearing for compensating masses for compensation of forces due to inertia as well as moments of inertia is in the form of a constructive unit made of the compensating masses and the support, whereby the outer mantle surface of the compensating masses provide the support surface. Furthermore, the compensating masses and the gear wheel comprise a unit whereby the exact angular coordination of crank shaft and compensating mass is ensured. The bearing arrangement results in a secondary mass compensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Assignee: MAN Nutzfahrzeuge Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Heribert Moller
  • Patent number: 5154097
    Abstract: A shaft unit, has a shaft having an axis, a gear wheel mounted mounted on the shaft, the gear wheel having a flange and a first bore formed in the flange the shaft having a second bore which is a continuation of the first bore, the first and second bores have the same axis extending perpendicularly to the shaft of the axis and also having the same diameter, and damping device having a spring sleeve composed of elastic material extending in the first and second bore and inserted in the first and second bores in a form-locking fashion between the shaft and the gear wheel, the spring sleeve acting as a force-transmitting and damping member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 13, 1992
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Otto Barthruff, Martin Mayer
  • Patent number: 5142939
    Abstract: A connection and two step method of manufacturing is disclosed for a drive unit for a wiper arm system which consists of a wiper shaft mounted in a bore through a crank arm. The wiper shaft is formed with a groove disposed within the thickness of the crank arm and material from one surface of the crank arm is displaced to form an annular recess which causes crank arm material adjacent the groove to be radially displaced into a groove formed in the wiper shaft to form an axial holding element. The radial distance R1 of the recess from the crank arm bore is substantially equal to the axial distance A1 of the groove below the one crank arm surface to facilitate the extruding process. Knurled areas on the shaft on either side of the groove are press fit into the crank arm bore as a first step in assembling the shaft to the crank arm, bringing a flange into abutment against the other surface of the crank arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: SWF Auto-Electric GmbH
    Inventors: Kurt Bauer, Wilhelm Dorr, Reinhard Edele, Werner Pfitzenmaier, Christian Roth, Eckhardt Schmid
  • Patent number: 5134900
    Abstract: In the case of a crankshaft with hollow pins, cross-sectionally distributed expanding sleeves inserted into the exit apertures of the main pins and crank pins in the crank webs. These sleeves generate a prestress in the material of the crank webs in order to increase the bending and torsional strength and to avoid the formation of cracks in the endangered shaft cross-section. Further expanding means in the pins extending along the length of the pins increase the natural frequency of the shaft in uncritical areas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 4, 1992
    Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft fur Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventor: Helmut Swars
  • Patent number: 5101683
    Abstract: A crankshaft including an eccentric cranked section which is divided into two parts. A unitary inner ring is force fit over the outer surfaces of both parts of the cranked section of the crankshaft. At each axial end of the inner ring, a groove is opposite a hole in the shaft. A connecting pin extends between them. This prevents rotation of the inner ring around the cranked section of the shaft. For strengthening the cranked section, there is a continuous bore hole through both of its parts and a connecting screw extending through the bore hole. A support for the connecting rod engages the crankshaft cranked section at the bearing inner ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: FAG Kugelfischer Georg Schafer
    Inventor: Franz Pfennig
  • Patent number: 5088344
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine comprising an engine block, a crankshaft rotatably supported by the block and including an axis, a first portion which is cylindrical in shape, which is concentric with the axis, and which has a uniform radius, and a second portion extending from the first portion in concentric relation thereto and having a radius less than the radius of the first portion to define a radially extending shoulder on the first portion, a flywheel including a surface engaging the shoulder, and a central aperture receiving the second portion of the crankshaft and having a radius less then the radius of the first portion, and bolts extending through the flywheel and into the first portion of the crankshaft for securing the flywheel to the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: Outboard Marine Corporation
    Inventors: Philip A. Anderson, William A. Bernau, Paul W. Breckenfeld, Geroge L. Broughton, Wallace R. Karrasch
  • Patent number: 5081884
    Abstract: A crankshaft apparatus is disclosed which includes a crankshaft having a crank pin, an inner portion, a middle portion, and an end portion, a bearing mounted about the crankshaft inner portion, a sleeve mounted about the crankshaft middle portion, a flywheel mounted about the sleeve, and a clutch mounted about the crankshaft end portion. The clutch has a driven side fixed to the flywheel, and a driving side. The driving side is operably connected to the crankshaft end portion by a key mechanism, which includes alignable slots formed in the crankshaft and the clutch, and keys mountable in the slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Inventors: Cheng-Ming Cheng, Chien-Chang Cheng
  • Patent number: 5064726
    Abstract: A hollow composite member for accommodating torques and/or tensile, compressive or bending forces in the case of which a circumferentially uniform tensile prestress is generated in an outer material layer essentially along its entire axial length by inner supporting members accommodating pressure in the radial direction, and where, especially in the outer material layer a compressive prestress which is either uniform or increased towards the center is prevailing as a result of inner supporting members accommodating tension in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft fur Emissionstechnologie m.b.H.
    Inventor: Helmut Swars
  • Patent number: 5022835
    Abstract: A crankshaft for a hermetic compressor of the type that comprises a piston which is displaced in the interior of a cylinder by action of an eccentric portion of the crankshaft which is rotatively driven by the electric motor of the compressor, so that the outer face of the eccentric portion facing the axial bearing is spaced according to a surface portion defining an inclined outer face portion which produces a hydrodynamic wedge at the crankshaft eccentric portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: Empresa Brasileira de Compressores S/A - Embraco
    Inventor: Caio Da Costa
  • Patent number: 5014572
    Abstract: An assembled crankshaft whose crank webs on both sides are connected to, so as to be integral with, part of an adjoining shaft pin, with these parts being designed as hollow pins, and in the case of which crankshaft the parts of adjoining crank webs jointly forming a shaft pin are at least partially stepped in their diameter and inserted into each other, with the outer part having a higher yield point than the inner part and with a force-locking connection existing between the two parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Assignee: Emitec Gesellschaft fur Emissionstechnologie mbH
    Inventor: Helmut Swars