US4367703A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for engaging and disengaging discrete crankshafts in internal combustion engines
Assignee: LuK Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
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Filing: 1981-02-12
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Granted: 1983-01-11
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Expires: 2001-02-12
Abstract
Abstract An internal combustion engine with two crankshafts which are parallel to each other and are installed in a common casing. One of the crankshafts is driven whenever the engine is running and the other crankshaft is driven only when the engine is operated at maximum load. Prior to starting of the cylinders which rotate the other crankshaft, the other crankshaft is gradually accelerated to the speed of the one crankshaft by a friction clutch which is coaxial with the one crankshaft. Once the acceleration of the other crankshaft to the speed of the one crankshaft is completed, and the other crankshaft assumes a predetermined angular position with reference to the one crankshaft, the friction clutch is disengaged and such disengagement entails activation of a positive-engagement clutch between the two crankshafts. The friction clutch can constitute a component part of or it can be integrated into the positive-engagement clutch.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Maucher
- 👤 Oswald Friedmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:00
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16D; F16D23/00; F16D23/02; F16D23/04; F02; F02D; F02D17/00; F02D17/02; F16D43/00; F16D43/28; F16D43/284; F16D23/06; F16D2023/0643
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a first engine section having a normally rotating first crankshaft; a second engine section having a second crankshaft parallel to said first crankshaft; means for accelerating said second crankshaft to the speed of said first crankshaft; and clutch means operable to separably couple said crankshafts upon completed acceleration of said second crankshaft.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a first engine section having a normally rotating first crankshaft; a second engine section having a second crankshaft parallel to said first crankshaft; means for accelerating said second crankshaft to the speed of said first crankshaft; and clutch means operable to separably couple said crankshafts upon completed acceleration of said second crankshaft.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The combination of claim 1, further comprising a first camshaft; means for rotating said first camshaft in response to rotation of said first crankshaft; a second camshaft; and means for rotating said second camshaft in response to rotation of said second crankshaft, said camshafts being parallel to said crankshafts; and a common casing for said shafts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
The combination of claim 1, further comprising means for preventing the engagement of said clutch means save in a predetermined angular position of said second crankshaft with reference to said first crankshaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said accelerating means includes a friction clutch and said clutch means includes a positive-engagement clutch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
The combination of claim 4, wherein said friction clutch includes means for automatically activating said positive-engagement clutch upon completed acceleration of said second crankshaft and in a predetermined angular position of said second crankshaft with reference to said first crankshaft.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 5, wherein said means for automatically activating said positive-engagement clutch includes means for monitoring the angular velocities of said crankshafts.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 6, wherein said friction clutch includes means for accelerating said second crankshaft as long as said monitoring means continues to detect a difference between the angular velocities of said crankshafts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 6, wherein said monitoring means comprises a pump for a hydraulic fluid.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
129 words
The combination of claim 8, wherein said positive-engagement clutch comprises first and second clutch members the first of which is movable toward and away from the second thereof, said friction clutch comprising means defining a chamber for hydraulic fluid, a plunger reciprocable in said chamber and connected for rotation with said second clutch member, said plunger being movable axially of said first clutch member and said first and second clutch members respectively rotating with said first and second crankshafts, said pump being arranged to admit hydraulic fluid into said chamber as long as the angular velocity of said first crankshaft exceeds the angular velocity of said second crankshaft whereby said plunger receives torque from said first clutch member to thereby accelerate said second crankshaft via said second clutch member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The combination of claim 9, wherein said pump is a crescent type pump having an outlet connected with said chamber and a suction inlet connected with a source of hydraulic fluid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 10, wherein said pump includes an eccentric gear and means for transmitting torque from said first crankshaft to said gear.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 11, wherein said means for transmitting torque from said first crankshaft to said gear comprises a pusher non-rotatably connected with said first clutch member and movable axially of said first crankshaft into and from torque transmitting engagement with said gear.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 12, further comprising means for yieldably biasing said pusher against said gear.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 13, wherein said biasing means comprises a spring reacting against said first clutch member and bearing against said pusher.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination of claim 13, wherein said gear and said pusher have complementary surfaces which frictionally engage each other in response to axial movement of said first clutch member toward said second clutch member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 12, further comprising means for yieldably biasing said pusher away from said gear.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination of claim 1, further comprising means for moving said first clutch member axially of said one crankshaft and toward said second clutch member and said friction clutch further comprises friction generating means interposed between said plunger and said first clutch member so that said first clutch member rotates said second clutch member through the medium of said plunger and said friction generating means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination of claim 17, further comprising means for limiting the extent of movement of said first clutch member toward said second clutch member during acceleration of said second crankshaft to the speed of said first crankshaft so that said first and second clutch members are incapable of moving into actual engagement with each other until and unless the acceleration of said second crankshaft is completed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
The combination of claim 18, wherein said means which defines said chamber has at least one opening which allows fluid supplied by said pump to escape from said chamber before said plunger is moved to a position in which said first clutch member can engage said second clutch member, said opening constituting said limiting means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said clutch means comprises a positive-engagement clutch having complementary first and second profiles for establishment of a positive torque-transmitting connection between said crankshafts in response to completed acceleration of said second crankshaft.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
66 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said clutch means further comprises first and second clutch members which are respectively provided with said first and second profiles and are respectively rotatable with said first and second crankshafts, one of said clutch members being movable axially toward the other clutch member to thereby connect said profiles with each other in response to completed acceleration of said second crankshaft.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of claim 20, wherein one of said profiles is rotatable relative to the corresponding crankshaft through a predetermined angle and further comprising shock absorber means interposed between said one profile and the respective crankshaft.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
The combination of claim 21, wherein said shock absorber means comprises at least one spring.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
62 words
The combination of claim 1, further comprising first and second camshafts, means for transmitting torque between said first camshaft and said first crankshaft, and means for transmitting torque between said second camshaft and said second crankshaft, said clutch means being interposed between said crankshafts and including a positive-engagement clutch, said accelerating means being interposed between said camshafts and including a friction clutch.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 24, further comprising means for monitoring the speeds of said camshafts and for effecting engagement of said positive-engagement clutch in response to acceleration of said second camshaft to the speed of said first camshaft.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The combination of claim 24, further comprising means for preventing activation of said positive-engagement clutch except in a predetermined angular position of said second crankshaft relative to said first crankshaft.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4069803A
Cited
DE2828298A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-01-10 | 1986-07-12 | 1987-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-01-10 | 1990-07-12 | 1991-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-01-10 | 1994-07-12 | 1995-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |