US5007307A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power plant for vehicles
Assignee: Nissan Motor Co Ltd
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Filing: 1989-04-26
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Granted: 1991-04-16
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Expires: 2009-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A cylinder block is detachably connected to a transmission casing so that an engine and a transmission constitutes a single unit. A crankshaft is entirely supported on the cylinder block. A crankshaft gear is installed on the crankshaft at the nearly central portion thereof. An intermediate shaft with an idler gear and an idler shaft with an input gear are entirely supported on the transmission casing in such a way that the idler gear and input gear are meshed with each other. The crankshaft gear and idler gear are automatically meshed with each other when the cylinder block is installed in place on the transmission casing.
Inventors
- 👤 Tsuyoshi Tamazawa
- 👤 Yoshimasa Hayashi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:00
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60K; B60K5/00; B60K17/00; B60K17/04; B60K17/06; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/21; Y10T74/2186
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A power plant for an automotive vehicle comprising: (A) a first independent unit comprising an engine having a cylinder block, a crankshaft supported on said cylinder block, and a crankshaft gear installed on said crankshaft; (B) a second independent unit comprising a transmission arranged in parallel with said crankshaft and including a transmission casing, an input shaft arranged in parallel with said crankshaft and supported on said transmission casing, an input gear installed on said input shaft, an intermediate shaft interposed parallelly between said input shaft and said crankshaft and supported on said transmission casing, and an idler gear which is installed on said intermediate shaft and which meshes with said crankshaft gear and said idler gear; and (C) means for detachably attaching said first unit to said second unit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A power plant for an automotive vehicle comprising: (A) a first independent unit comprising an engine having a cylinder block, a crankshaft supported on said cylinder block, and a crankshaft gear installed on said crankshaft; (B) a second independent unit comprising a transmission arranged in parallel with said crankshaft and including a transmission casing, an input shaft arranged in parallel with said crankshaft and supported on said transmission casing, an input gear installed on said input shaft, an intermediate shaft interposed parallelly between said input shaft and said crankshaft and supported on said transmission casing, and an idler gear which is installed on said intermediate shaft and which meshes with said crankshaft gear and said idler gear; and (C) means for detachably attaching said first unit to said second unit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The power plant accordant to claim 1, in wherein said means for detachably attaching comprises fasteners which connect said cylinder block to said transmission casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The power plant according to claim 2, wherein said fasteners comprise bolts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The power plant according to claim 2, wherein said engine comprises a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, and wherein said cylinder block completely encloses said engine and said crankshaft.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The power plant according to claim 2, wherein said crankshaft gear and said idler gear are disengageable concurrently with detachment of one of said cylinder block and said transmission casing from the other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The power plant according to claim 1, wherein said cylinder block further comprises a pair of main bearing means for supporting opposite end portions of said crankshaft gear, said crankshaft gear being installed on an intermediate portion of said crankshaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The power plant according to claim 6, further comprising a flywheel installed on said crankshaft at a location adjacent to said crankshaft gear and between said main bearing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The power plant according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of bearing caps attached to said cylinder block for supporting said crankshaft and at least one reinforcement beam interconnecting at least some of said bearing caps.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The power plant according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of bearing caps attached to said cylinder block for supporting said crankshaft and a pair of reinforcement beams interconnecting said bearing caps.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The power plant according to claim 1, further comprising a torque converter having an input member to which said input shaft is drivingly connected.
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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) | 1994-04-15 | 1994-10-15 | 1995-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-04-15 | 1998-10-15 | 1999-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-04-15 | 2002-10-15 | 2003-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |