US4070971A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Engine efficiency
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-06-05
•
Granted: 1978-01-31
•
Expires: 1994-06-05
Abstract
Abstract An 8-cylinder engine is converted to a 4-cylinder engine by disconnecting and removing four alternate firing order pistons and connecting rods, by attaching a counterweight to each crank shaft throw journal from which a connecting rod has been removed, by blocking intake ports with replacement gaskets having obstructions at the ports of the selected cylinders and by adding weights to the flywheel.
Inventors
- 👤 Alden Henry Studebaker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:22
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B69/00; F02B75/00; F02B75/16; F02B75/18; F02B75/22; F02D; F02D17/00; F02D17/02; F02B2075/1804; F02B2075/1816; F02B2075/1832; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S123/00; Y10S123/01; Y10S123/07
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
37 words
The method of improving engine efficiency comprising deactivating selected pistons in selected cylinders by removing the selected pistons, interrupting fuel supply to the selected cylinders, and operating the engine with the deactivated piston and interrupted fuel supply.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
37 words
The method of improving engine efficiency comprising deactivating selected pistons in selected cylinders by removing the selected pistons, interrupting fuel supply to the selected cylinders, and operating the engine with the deactivated piston and interrupted fuel supply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the deactivating step comprises removing a piston rod from a crank shaft, and removing a piston from a cylinder, and wherein the interrupting step comprises blocking and intake port of a selected cylinder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the blocking step comprises replacing a cylinder head gasket having an intake opening adjacent a selected cylinder with a gasket having an intake obstruction adjacent a selected cylinder.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising attaching a counterweight-spacer to a crank shaft throw journal from which the piston rod has been removed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 4, the counterweight spacer comprising a first attachment portion for connection to the throw journal, a second counterweight portion extending outward from the first portion in one direction radially from the throw journal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the attachment portion comprises an axially-wide portion extending along the journal, and wherein the wide portion comprises first and second semicylindrical halves having opposite radial extensions for receiving fasteners for joining the sections together.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the weight portion comprises a sectorial outward extension with a segmental outer periphery.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the weight portion extends toward a centerline of the crank shaft.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 4, the manifold gasket comprising an elongated, narrow, thin laminated gasket having plural transverse openings at regular intervals and having at least one of the openings blocked by a central laminate which extends across the opening.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of adding weight of a flywheel connected to an engine crank shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 10, the weight comprising the first and second semicircular plates having relatively large radial dimensions and having relatively small thicknesses and being configured for attaching laterally to a flywheel and together forming a circular weight having a circular central opening.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-30 | 1981-08-01 | 1982-01-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-30 | 1985-08-01 | 1986-01-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-30 | 1989-08-01 | 1990-01-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |