Variable Patents (Class 74/602)
  • Patent number: 11008937
    Abstract: A crank and connecting rod mechanism which can realize a Miller cycle and its control method, wherein an interior of a crankshaft is provided with a drive oil channel and a lock-up oil channel. A connecting rod neck of the crankshaft is arranged with an eccentric connecting rod bearing. In a crankshaft balance weight, a drive gear meshing with an outer meshing gear ring of the eccentric connecting rod bearing through an idle gear is installed. A planetary gear is installed in a drive gear hollow shaft. A lockpin is designed for the drive gear hollow shaft so as to lock with the crankshaft balance weight or with a planetary gear shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: XIHUA UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Wei Tian, Yunlu Chu, Mingyan Hu, Bang Xiao, Xueshun Wu, Zhiqiang Han
  • Patent number: 10989108
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for adjusting a compression ratio. In one example, a system may include rotating an eccentric ring of a crankshaft by flowing hydraulic fluid to first and second chambers to actuate the eccentric ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Alan Sampson
  • Patent number: 9447727
    Abstract: A variable displacement engine includes sets of concentric gears with the crankshaft connected through gear trains to control the crankshaft radius and the piston rod length. One or more servos control the crankshaft concentric gears through gear trains to thus control the crankshaft radius and piston rod length, thereby controlling the engine displacement while maintaining compression ratio, and optionally controlling compression ratio independently.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2016
    Inventor: Mark William Klarer
  • Patent number: 8726877
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a frame and an engine, with the engine including components forming a crankshaft assembly, such as a flywheel, a pinion shaft supporting the flywheel for rotation, a piston assembly including a connecting rod with a base end portion having a bearing support structure, a bearing, and a crank pin. An uninterrupted oil passageway is formed by an axial hole in the pinion shaft, a radial hole in the pinion shaft, an aligned hole in the flywheel, an angled hole in the crank pin, at least one radial hole in the crank pin. The angled hole in the crank pin extends between the inner and outer surfaces, with the angled hole starting on the outer surface at a location along a distance L1 and extends to the inner surface exiting at a location inboard of the distance L1, the angled hole being linear along its length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: S & S Cycle, Inc.
    Inventor: Justin Bramstedt
  • Patent number: 8714134
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston mechanism comprises a crankcase and a crankshaft having at least a crankpin The crankshaft is rotatable about a crankshaft axis. The mechanism comprises a crank member which is rotatably mounted on the crankpin, and comprises at least a bearing portion which is eccentrically disposed with respect to the crankpin. The bearing portion has an outer circumferential wall which bears the big end of a connecting rod such that the connecting rod is rotatably mounted on the bearing portion of the crank member via the big end. The crank member is provided with a crank member gear which meshes with a first auxiliary gear being an external gear. The first auxiliary gear is fixed to a second auxiliary gear via a common auxiliary shaft The auxiliary shaft is mounted to the crankshaft and rotatable with respect thereto about an auxiliary shaft axis which extends parallel to the crankshaft axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Gomecys B.V.
    Inventor: Lambertus Hendrik De Gooijer
  • Publication number: 20120111143
    Abstract: In a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine wherein a crankthrow is shortened by the use of a multi-link mechanism, the crankthrow from the axis of a main journal to the axis of a crankpin is set shorter than one-half of a piston stroke, and an oil passage is formed to supply lubricating oil to a bearing portion of the crankpin. The pin-side opening of the oil passage, which is open at the outer peripheral surface of the crankpin, is formed in ranges other than angular ranges of 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270° with respect to a reference line extending from the axis of the main journal toward the axis of the crankpin in a decentering direction of the crankpin, thereby alleviating a stress concentration caused by a torsional torque in the vicinity of the pin-side opening of the oil passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: NISSAN MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takashi Tanabe, Makoto Kobayashi, Tsuyoshi Arinaga, Kenshi Ushijima
  • Publication number: 20110036334
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston mechanism comprises a crankcase and a crankshaft having at least a crankpin The crankshaft is rotatable about a crankshaft axis. The mechanism comprises a crank member which is rotatably mounted on the crankpin, and comprises at least a bearing portion which is eccentrically disposed with respect to the crankpin. The bearing portion has an outer circumferential wall which bears the big end of a connecting rod such that the connecting rod is rotatably mounted on the bearing portion of the crank member via the big end. The crank member is provided with a crank member gear which meshes with a first auxiliary gear being an external gear. The first auxiliary gear is fixed to a second auxiliary gear via a common auxiliary shaft The auxiliary shaft is mounted to the crankshaft and rotatable with respect thereto about an auxiliary shaft axis which extends parallel to the crankshaft axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Inventor: Lambertus Hendrik De Gooijer
  • Patent number: 7185557
    Abstract: This invention relates to a mechanism and method for enhancing the performance of both two stroke and four stroke cycle reciprocating piston internal combustion engines, reciprocating piston pumps and compressors by generating an Epitrochoidal path of travel for the lower end of the connecting rod. The piston, attached to the upper end of the connecting rod, will be made to dwell at the lower part of its travel, enhancing the output of the engine, pump or compressor through better utilization of the available cylinder pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Inventor: Thomas Mark Venettozzi
  • Patent number: 6386066
    Abstract: A variable stroke crankshaft assembly includes a drive shaft surrounded by a sleeve. A crankshaft is disposed inside the drive shaft with the longitudinal axis of the crankshaft offset from the longitudinal axis of the drive shaft. A gear projecting outwardly from the crankshaft through a window in a drive shaft engages angled gear teeth on the inner surface of the sleeve allowing sliding movement of the sleeve relative to the drive shaft to rotate the crankshaft. A crankpin is attached to the crankshaft but offset from the rotational axis of the crankshaft. Rotational movement of the crankshaft with respect to the drive shaft thus pivots the crankpin with respect to the rotational axis of the drive shaft creating a crank stroke that may be varied by sliding the sleeve back and forth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Inventor: Allen M. Shotwell
  • 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: 5465636
    Abstract: A variable length crank arm in a windshield wiper system provides a depressed park position for an associated wiper blade when the direction of rotation of a drive motor is reversed. The crank arm relies on an eccentric driver to vary its length between a first length and a longer second length. When the eccentric driver is rotated in a first direction to wipe the windshield, a spring loaded pin keeps the eccentric driver rotatably fixed to an output arm with the crank arm consequently at the first length. The spring loaded pin also engages a cam slot in a cam plate, the cam plate rotating freely with the output arm and the eccentric driver in the first direction. To move the blade to the depressed park position, the direction of rotation of the drive motor is reversed. This causes the cam plate to become rotatably stopped, with the now stationary cam slot forcing the pin out of engagement with the output arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: ITT Automotive Electrical Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher H. Jones, Lloyd L. R. Kuck, Frank R. Lombardo
  • Patent number: 5388482
    Abstract: A variable length crank arm in a windshield wiper system provides a depressed park position for an associated wiper blade when the direction of rotation of a drive motor is reversed. The crank arm relies on an eccentric driver to vary its length and between a first length a longer second length. When the eccentric driver is rotated in a first direction to wipe the windshield, a spring loaded pin keeps the eccentric driver rotatably fixed to an output arm with the crank arm consequently at the first length. The spring loaded pin also engages a cam slot in a cam plate, the cam plate rotating freely with the output arm and the eccentric driver in the first direction. To move the blade to the depressed park position, the direction of rotation of the drive motor is reversed. This causes the cam plate to become rotatably stopped, with the now stationary cam slot forcing the pin out of engagement with the output arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: February 14, 1995
    Assignee: ITT Automotive Electrical Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher H. Jones, Lloyd L. R. Kuck, Frank R. Lombardo
  • 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: 5047618
    Abstract: A linear oscillatory motion device capable of producing a linear oscillatory motion from a continuous rotation of a motor in one direction with a desired speed variation, with smooth and stable motion without an abrupt change in acceleration. The device includes a crank mechanism with variable stroke which converts the rotations of the motor into oscillatory motion; and guiding cam which controls the stroke of the crank mechanism according to a shape of said guiding cam means defined such that in at least one part of the linear oscillatory motion an acceleration of the object changes continuously resulting in linear oscillatory motion of the object. The optical card read/write apparatus featuring such a linear oscillatory motion device is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Koichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4733572
    Abstract: A linear reciprocating motion device according to the present invention comprises an object which is movable exclusively in a prescribed direction, a cam groove which is formed on a closed curve, a linking rod whose one end is connected to said object and its the other end is engaged with said cam groove, and means for moving the other end of said linking rod along said cam groove with a prescribed angular velocity. The moving means with angular velocity comprises a crank arm whose length is free to be increased or decreased, with its one end connected to the other end of said linking rod and rotates in the interior of said closed curve, and a motor that causes to rotate the crank sub-arm that is linked to the crank arm at a constant speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Koichi Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 4681515
    Abstract: Variable stroke pump apparatus includes a photovoltaic array for providing electrical current to motors, one of which provides for the pumping action of a walking beam, one of which provides for movement of a control unit which varies the length of stroke of the pumping apparatus from a minimum of zero to a maximum, and one of which operates a counterweight for moving the counterweight in response to the pumping load. The apparatus includes mechanical elements which adjust the length of the stroke of the pumping arm, and a control system which controls the length of the pumping stroke in response to the output of the photovoltaic array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1987
    Inventor: James C. Allen
  • Patent number: 4485768
    Abstract: A yoke type engine wherein the orbital path of the slider is alterable to effect piston stroke and compression ratio changes. A crank component has a crankpin which carries and positions the slider. A boss of the crank component is carried by a control shaft in an offset manner. Timing gears normally drive the control shaft in synchronization with the crankshaft to maintain a constant stroke and compression ratio. Relocation of certain timing gears by an actuator causes the control shaft to rotationally advance or retard to reposition the crank component carried thereby to in turn alter the orbital path of the coaxial crankpin and slider relative to a crankshaft axis. Accordingly, high and low compression orbits for the slider may be effected to best suit engine loads. A variable length throw couples the slider to the crankshaft. The orbital path of the slider provides increased crankshaft leverage over conventional engine arrangements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1984
    Inventor: William B. Heniges
  • Patent number: 4466403
    Abstract: A swing throw crank structure for transforming the reciprocating movement of a piston to rotary power that is delivered to a drive shaft at a substantially higher torque than that attainable when a conventional crank mechanism is employed for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1984
    Inventor: Jack K. Menton
  • Patent number: 4462290
    Abstract: A tube cut-off unit is arranged at the downstream end of a tube mill and is powered by a drive unit mechanically driven by the main shaft of the mill which drives the tube forming rolls. The drive unit mechanically rotates a crank which, through a link, reciprocates a slide along the path of travel of the tube. A tube cut-off blade on the slide is cam actuated to sever the tube. Means are provided to insure that the slide is moving at a constant speed and at the same speed as the tube when the tube is being severed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1984
    Inventor: Bernard J. Wallis
  • Patent number: 4319498
    Abstract: The invention is a reciprocating mechanism for use in piston driven compressors and in internal and external combustion engines. The design comprises a piston and connecting rod which is driven by a crank with an intervening transfer linkage for extending and contracting the crank radius during each revolution of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1982
    Inventor: Edward M. McWhorter
  • Patent number: 4301695
    Abstract: A reciprocating piston machine, shown as having a crankshaft with a crank-pin offset from the axis of rotation of the crankshaft and a connecting rod pivotally connected at the end thereof remote from the crank-pin to a piston reciprocatingly received within a cylinder, has first and second eccentric bearings journalled with respect to each other and operatively collectively carried by the crank-pin and situated as to be generally between the crank-pin and the cooperating end of the related connecting rod; one of the eccentric bearings is rotated generally with the crank-pin and completely within the cooperating end of the connecting rod by the crankshaft during each full rotation of the crankshaft while the crank-pin undergoes one full rotation with respect to the other of the eccentric bearings for each full rotation of the crankshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: November 24, 1981
    Inventor: John H. Reiher
  • Patent number: 4245516
    Abstract: A cycloidal type drive for mechanical welding presses, automation systems and similar production type apparatus which requires mid-stroke slow down. The drive comprises an internal sun gear, a concentric bull gear, an idler gear shaft eccentrically supported by the bull gear and carrying idler gears one of which meshes with the sun gear, primary eccentrics secured to the bull gear and rotatably supporting eccentric gears, said idler gears meshing with said eccentric gears, secondary eccentrics secured to the eccentric gears, and means connecting said secondary eccentrics to a driven member. The bull gear shaft may be rotatably supported at both ends and only one primary gear assembly is needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1979
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1981
    Assignee: Delta Associated Industries Corp.
    Inventor: Harry E. Day
  • Patent number: 4152955
    Abstract: This invention relates to new and useful improvements in the mechanism comprising the crankshaft of internal or external combustion engines and also for use in other externally heated closed vapor cycle systems. In the engine system presented an eccentric is placed between the connecting rod and crankpin and is made to rotate with each revolution of the crankshaft by use of eccentric gearing. Rotation of the eccentric augments the simple harmonic motion induced by rotation of the crankpin thus changing the reciprocating motion of the piston in a manner which improves the efficiency of the mechanical conversion process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1975
    Date of Patent: May 8, 1979
    Inventor: Edward M. McWhorter
  • Patent number: 4085628
    Abstract: The invention is a reciprocating mechanism for piston driven internal and external combustion engines. The design presented consists of an intra-articulate connecting rod system operating in conjunction with a compound crankshaft. The advantage of this system over the ordinary reciprocating mechanism employed in other engine systems, is seen to be in the reduction of piston speed during the initial expansion process thus allowing higher combustion pressures to develope at more effective crank angles past the top neutral center position of shaft rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1978
    Inventor: Edward Milton McWhorter