US4896734A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Supercharged motor vehicle
Assignee: Yamaha Motor Co Ltd
•
Filing: 1989-02-21
•
Granted: 1990-01-30
•
Expires: 2009-02-21
Abstract
Abstract Several embodiments of motor vehicles having transversely disposed supercharged engines. In each embodiment, the supercharger is positioned at one end of the engine so as to receive a source of unobstructed cooling air flow into the engine compartment. In each embodiment, the supercharger is driven directly from the engine but at the end opposite to which the normal accessories are driven. In some embodiments, the supercharger is driven from the engine flywheel and in other embodiments, it is driven either from one end of a camshaft or by means of an externally positioned shaft driven from the accessory end. In certain embodiments, the radiator is positioned in an offset relationship so that the supercharger does not receive air that is heated by the radiator and a baffle is provided for precluding against the transmission of heat to the supercharger.
Inventors
- 👤 Kenji Horiuchi
- 👤 Toru Ichinose
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 21:30
CPC Classifications
F; F02; F02B; F02B67/00; F02B67/10; F02B39/00; F02B39/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
In a motor vehicle having an engine compartment, an air inlet to said engine compartment for delivering cooling air thereto, an engine disposed in said engine compartment with its output shaft rotating about an axis extending generally perpendicular to the direction of air flow into said engine compartment from said air inlet and the ends of said engine being contiguous to the ends of said output shaft, and a supercharger for delivering air under pressure to an induction system of said engine, the improvement comprising said supercharger lying outside of the area defined by a pair of parallel planes extending in the direction of air flow and each containing a respective end of said engine and disposed in a path of air flow from said air inlet not obstructed by said engine and so that air flowing around the outer periphery of said supercharger does not intersect said engine.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
In a motor vehicle having an engine compartment, an air inlet to said engine compartment for delivering cooling air thereto, an engine disposed in said engine compartment with its output shaft rotating about an axis extending generally perpendicular to the direction of air flow into said engine compartment from said air inlet and the ends of said engine being contiguous to the ends of said output shaft, and a supercharger for delivering air under pressure to an induction system of said engine, the improvement comprising said supercharger lying outside of the area defined by a pair of parallel planes extending in the direction of air flow and each containing a respective end of said engine and disposed in a path of air flow from said air inlet not obstructed by said engine and so that air flowing around the outer periphery of said supercharger does not intersect said engine.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the supercharger is driven from the engine.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 2 wherein the supercharger is driven mechanically from an engine shaft.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a motor vehicle having an engine compartment, an air inlet to said engine compartment for delivering cooling air thereto, an engine disposed in said engine compartment with its output shaft rotating about an axis extending generally perpendicular to the direction of air flow into said engine compartment from said air inlet, a supercharger for delivering air under pressure to an induction system of said engine and mechanically driven from an engine shaft at one end of said engine, the improvement comprising said supercharger being offset from said one end of said engine and disposed in a path of air flow from said air inlet not obstructed by said engine, and a plurality of other accessories driven by said engine at the end opposite to said one end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
128 words
In a motor vehicle having an engine compartment, an air inlet to said engine compartment for delivering cooling air thereto, an engine disposed in said engine compartment with its output shaft rotating about an axis extending generally perpendicular to the direction of air flow into said engine compartment from said air inlet, a supercharger for delivering air under pressure to an induction system of said engine and mechanically driven from an engine shaft at one end of said engine, the improvement comprising said supercharger being offset from said one end of said engine and disposed in a path of air flow from said air inlet not obstructed by said engine, and a plurality of other accessories driven by said engine at the end opposite to said one end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 4 wherein the supercharger is driven from an engine flywheel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 4 wherein the engine has at least one camshaft and the supercharger is driven from the camshaft.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
39 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 4 wherein the supercharger is driven from an externally positioned shaft that extends along one side of the engine and which is driven from the accessory end of the engine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 1 further including a radiator for dissipating heat from the engine and disposed in the path of air flow within the engine compartment.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 8 wherein the radiator is offset relative to the supercharger so that air heated by the radiator does not flow to the supercharger.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a motor vehicle having an engine compartment, an air inlet to said engine compartment for delivering cooling air thereto, an engine disposed in said engine compartment with its output shaft rotating about an axis extending generally perpendicular to the direction of air flow into said engine compartment from said air inlet, a radiator in said engine compartment in the path of air flow for dissipating heat from said engine, and a supercharge for delivering air under pressure to an induction system of said engine, the improvement comprising said supercharger being offset to one end of said engine and disposed in a path of air flow from said air inlet not obstructed by said engine, said radiator being offset from said supercharger so that the air heated by said radiator does not flow to said supercharger, and baffle means disposed between the radiator and the supercharger for precluding the flow of heat to the supercharger.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
155 words
In a motor vehicle having an engine compartment, an air inlet to said engine compartment for delivering cooling air thereto, an engine disposed in said engine compartment with its output shaft rotating about an axis extending generally perpendicular to the direction of air flow into said engine compartment from said air inlet, a radiator in said engine compartment in the path of air flow for dissipating heat from said engine, and a supercharge for delivering air under pressure to an induction system of said engine, the improvement comprising said supercharger being offset to one end of said engine and disposed in a path of air flow from said air inlet not obstructed by said engine, said radiator being offset from said supercharger so that the air heated by said radiator does not flow to said supercharger, and baffle means disposed between the radiator and the supercharger for precluding the flow of heat to the supercharger.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 10 wherein the engine has an exhaust system disposed between the radiator and the engine and the baffle is disposed between the exhaust system and the supercharger for precluding the transfer of heat to the supercharger from the exhaust system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the supercharger is provided with an air inlet which is spaced away from the engine relative to the supercharger.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the engine compartment is positioned in the front of the motor vehicle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 13 further including a radiator for dissipating heat from the engine and disposed in the path of air flow within the engine compartment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
32 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 14 wherein the radiator is offset relative to the supercharger so that air heated by the radiator does not flow to the supercharger.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 15 further including baffle means disposed between the radiator and the supercharger for precluding the flow of heat to the supercharger.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 16 wherein the engine has an exhaust system disposed between the radiator and the engine and the baffle is disposed between the exhaust system and the supercharger for precluding the transfer of heat to the supercharger from the exhaust system.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 13 wherein the engine drives the front wheels.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 18 wherein the engine has a plurality of cylinders aligned relative to the perpendicular direction.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 19 wherein the supercharger is driven at one end of the engine and a plurality of accessories are driven at the other end of the engine.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 20 wherein the supercharger is driven from the engine flywheel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
26 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 20 wherein the engine has at least one camshaft and the supercharger is driven from the camshaft.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
39 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 20 wherein the supercharger is driven from an externally positioned shaft that extends along one side of the engine and which is driven from the accessory end of the engine.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 4 wherein the engine compartment is positioned in the front of the motor vehicle.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 24 wherein the engine drives the front wheels.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 25 wherein the engine has a plurality of cylinders aligned relative to the perpendicular direction.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 5 wherein the engine compartment is positioned in front of the motor vehicle.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
17 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 27 wherein the engine drives the front wheels.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
24 words
In a motor vehicle as set forth in claim 28 wherein the engine has a plurality of cylinders aligned relative to the perpendicular direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-29 | 1993-07-31 | 1994-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-29 | 1997-07-31 | 1998-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-29 | 2001-07-31 | 2002-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |