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US6568376B2 Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Four stroke engine having a supercharger

Assignee: BRP Rotax GmbH and Co KG
•
Filing: 2001-02-28
•
Granted: 2003-05-27
•
Expires: 2021-02-28
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Abstract

Abstract A supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine. The engine includes a power take off housing located on one end of the crankcase. A supercharger for boosting air intake to an air intake manifold is mounted to the power take off and operatively connected to the crank shaft within the power take off housing. A personal watercraft having a supercharged engine is also disclosed.

Inventors

  • 👤 Michael Sonnleitner
  • 👤 Norbert Korenjak
  • 👤 Markus Hochmayr

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-04 23:53
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01N; F01N13/00; F01N13/004; F01B; F01B1/00; F01B1/12; F01L; F01L1/00; F01L1/02; F01L1/022; F01L1/024; F01L1/04; F01L1/047; F01L1/053; F01L1/12; F01L1/18; F01L1/181; F01L1/20; F01L1/22; F01L1/24; F01L1/2411; F01L1/245; F01L1/26; F01M; F01M1/00; F01M1/08; F01M11/00; F01M11/02; F01M13/00; F01M13/04; F01N13/02; F01N3/00; F01N3/02; F01N3/04; F01N3/043; F01N3/046; F01P; F01P3/00; F01P3/02; F01P9/00; F02; F02B; F02B33/00; F02B33/02; F02B33/26; F02B33/32; F02B33/34; F02B33/40; F02B33/44; F02B39/00; F02B39/02; F02B39/04; F02B39/14; F02B61/00; F02B61/02; F02B61/04; F02B61/045; F02B67/00; F02B67/04; F02B67/06; F02B67/10; F02B75/00; F02B75/16; F02B75/18; F02B75/20; F02B75/22; F02B75/224; F02B77/00; F02B77/08; F02B77/085; F02F; F02F1/00; F02F1/24; F02F1/242; F02F1/243; F02F1/42; F02F1/4214; F02F7/00; F02F7/0021; F02F7/0031; F02M; F02M35/00; F02M35/10; F02M35/10006; F02M35/10026; F02M35/10032; F02M35/10039; F02M35/10072; F02M35/10091; F02M35/10111; F02M35/10144; F02M35/1015; F02M35/10157; F02M35/10163; F02M35/10209; F02M35/10216; F02M35/10222; F02M35/10242; F02M35/10268; F02M35/10275; F02M35/104; F02M35/112; F02M35/116; F02M35/16; F02M35/165; F02M35/167; F02M69/00; F02M69/46; F02M69/462; F02M69/465; F16; F16H; F16H55/00; F16H55/32; F16H55/52; F16H55/56; F16H55/563; F16H7/00; F16H7/08; F16H7/0848; F16H9/00; F16H9/02; F16H9/04; F16H9/12; F01L2001/0535; F01L2301/00; F01L2305/00; F01M1/12; F01M2001/126; F01M11/0004; F01M2011/002; F01M2011/0033; F01M2011/0066; F01M2013/0422; F01M2013/0427; F01N2590/00; F01N2590/02; F01N2590/022; F01P2050/00; F01P2050/02; F01P2050/04; F01P2050/06; F01P2060/00; F01P2060/04; F01P2060/16; F01P3/20; F02B1/00; F02B1/02; F02B1/04; F02B75/02; F02B2075/022; F02B2075/027; F02B2075/1804; F02B2075/1808; F02B2075/1812; F02B2275/00; F02B2275/08; F02B2275/18; F02B2275/20; F02B63/00; F02B63/04; F02F2001/244; F02F2001/245; F05; F05C; F05C2201/00; F05C2201/02; F05C2201/021; F16H2007/0802; F16H2007/0806; F16H2007/0812; F16H2007/0859; F16H61/00; F16H61/66; F16H61/662; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/10; Y02T10/12

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim 239 words
A supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine, comprising: a crankcase having a crank shaft rotatably mounted therein, wherein the crankcase having a top, a bottom, a pair of sides and a pair of ends; a cylinder head connected to the crankcase, wherein the crankcase and the cylinder head form at least one combustion cylinder chamber; at least one intake valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; at least one exhaust valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; a valve actuation assembly located in the cylinder head for operating the at least one intake valve and the at least one exhaust valve; at least one air intake passageway operatively coupled to the combustion cylinder chambers through the intake valves; an air intake manifold connected to the cylinder head and operatively connected to the at least one air intake passageway; a power take off housing located on one of the pair of ends of the crankcase, wherein the crank shaft extends into the power take off housing, wherein the crank shaft is operatively coupled to an output shaft for power take off; and a supercharger for boosting air to the air intake manifold, wherein the supercharger is mounted to the power take off housing and is operatively connected to the crank shaft within the power take off housing, wherein the air intake manifold comprises: a central air passageway, wherein the central air passageway is operatively connected to the supercharger.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 239 words
A supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine, comprising: a crankcase having a crank shaft rotatably mounted therein, wherein the crankcase having a top, a bottom, a pair of sides and a pair of ends; a cylinder head connected to the crankcase, wherein the crankcase and the cylinder head form at least one combustion cylinder chamber; at least one intake valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; at least one exhaust valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; a valve actuation assembly located in the cylinder head for operating the at least one intake valve and the at least one exhaust valve; at least one air intake passageway operatively coupled to the combustion cylinder chambers through the intake valves; an air intake manifold connected to the cylinder head and operatively connected to the at least one air intake passageway; a power take off housing located on one of the pair of ends of the crankcase, wherein the crank shaft extends into the power take off housing, wherein the crank shaft is operatively coupled to an output shaft for power take off; and a supercharger for boosting air to the air intake manifold, wherein the supercharger is mounted to the power take off housing and is operatively connected to the crank shaft within the power take off housing, wherein the air intake manifold comprises: a central air passageway, wherein the central air passageway is operatively connected to the supercharger.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 54 words
The supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine according to claim 1 , wherein the air intake manifold further comprises: at least one passageway extending from the central air passageway to a free end, wherein the free end of the at least one passageway is operatively connected to the at least one air intake passageway.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 275 words
A supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine, comprising: a crankcase having a crank shaft rotatably mounted therein, wherein the crankcase having a top, a bottom, a pair of sides and a pair of ends; a cylinder head connected to the crankcase, wherein the crankcase and the cylinder head form at least one combustion cylinder chamber; at least one intake valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; at least one exhaust valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; a valve actuation assembly located in the cylinder head for operating the at least one intake valve and the at least one exhaust valve; at least one air intake passageway operatively coupled to the combustion cylinder chambers through the intake valves; an air intake manifold connected to the cylinder head and operatively connected to the at least one air intake passageway; a power take off housing located on one of the pair of ends of the crankcase, wherein the crank shaft extends into the power take off housing, wherein the crank shaft is operatively coupled to an output shaft for power take off; and a supercharger for boosting air to the air intake manifold, wherein the supercharger is mounted to the power take off housing and is operatively connected to the crank shaft within the power take off housing, wherein the supercharger includes a mounting portion, wherein the mounting portion is attached to the power take off housing, wherein the mounting portion is positioned within a mounting opening in the power take off housing, wherein at least one sealing ring is provided between the mounting portion and the mounting opening in the power take off housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 275 words
A supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine, comprising: a crankcase having a crank shaft rotatably mounted therein, wherein the crankcase having a top, a bottom, a pair of sides and a pair of ends; a cylinder head connected to the crankcase, wherein the crankcase and the cylinder head form at least one combustion cylinder chamber; at least one intake valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; at least one exhaust valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; a valve actuation assembly located in the cylinder head for operating the at least one intake valve and the at least one exhaust valve; at least one air intake passageway operatively coupled to the combustion cylinder chambers through the intake valves; an air intake manifold connected to the cylinder head and operatively connected to the at least one air intake passageway; a power take off housing located on one of the pair of ends of the crankcase, wherein the crank shaft extends into the power take off housing, wherein the crank shaft is operatively coupled to an output shaft for power take off; and a supercharger for boosting air to the air intake manifold, wherein the supercharger is mounted to the power take off housing and is operatively connected to the crank shaft within the power take off housing, wherein the supercharger includes a mounting portion, wherein the mounting portion is attached to the power take off housing, wherein the mounting portion is positioned within a mounting opening in the power take off housing, wherein at least one sealing ring is provided between the mounting portion and the mounting opening in the power take off housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 313 words
A supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine, comprising: a crankcase having a crank shaft rotatably mounted therein, wherein the crankcase having a top, a bottom, a pair of sides and a pair of ends; a cylinder head connected to the crankcase, wherein the crankcase and the cylinder head form at least one combustion cylinder chamber; at least one intake valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; at least one exhaust valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; a valve actuation assembly located in the cylinder head for operating the at least one intake valve and the at least one exhaust valve; at least one air intake passageway operatively coupled to the combustion cylinder chambers through the intake valves; an air intake manifold connected to the cylinder head and operatively connected to the at least one air intake passageway; a power take off housing located on one of the pair of ends of the crankcase, wherein the crank shaft extends into the power take off housing, wherein the crank shaft is operatively coupled to an output shaft for power take off; and a supercharger for boosting air to the air intake manifold, wherein the supercharger includes a mounting portion, wherein the mounting portion is attached to the power take off housing, wherein the supercharger is mounted to the power take off housing and is operatively connected to the crank shaft within the power take off housing, wherein the supercharger comprises: an inlet portion having an inlet opening for drawing a stream of air, wherein the inlet portion is connected to the mounting portion; and an air passageway extending from the inlet opening to the air intake manifold, wherein the air intake manifold comprises an air intake passageway, and a plenum connected to the air intake passageway, wherein the air intake passageway is operatively connected to the air passageway of the supercharger assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 313 words
A supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine, comprising: a crankcase having a crank shaft rotatably mounted therein, wherein the crankcase having a top, a bottom, a pair of sides and a pair of ends; a cylinder head connected to the crankcase, wherein the crankcase and the cylinder head form at least one combustion cylinder chamber; at least one intake valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; at least one exhaust valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; a valve actuation assembly located in the cylinder head for operating the at least one intake valve and the at least one exhaust valve; at least one air intake passageway operatively coupled to the combustion cylinder chambers through the intake valves; an air intake manifold connected to the cylinder head and operatively connected to the at least one air intake passageway; a power take off housing located on one of the pair of ends of the crankcase, wherein the crank shaft extends into the power take off housing, wherein the crank shaft is operatively coupled to an output shaft for power take off; and a supercharger for boosting air to the air intake manifold, wherein the supercharger includes a mounting portion, wherein the mounting portion is attached to the power take off housing, wherein the supercharger is mounted to the power take off housing and is operatively connected to the crank shaft within the power take off housing, wherein the supercharger comprises: an inlet portion having an inlet opening for drawing a stream of air, wherein the inlet portion is connected to the mounting portion; and an air passageway extending from the inlet opening to the air intake manifold, wherein the air intake manifold comprises an air intake passageway, and a plenum connected to the air intake passageway, wherein the air intake passageway is operatively connected to the air passageway of the supercharger assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 35 words
The supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine according to claim 4 , wherein the supercharger further comprises: a blower located within the inlet portion for directing a stream of air to the air intake manifold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 34 words
The supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine according to claim 5 , wherein the blower includes a blower drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the mounting portion of the supercharger.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 26 words
The supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine according to claim 6 , further comprising: a lubrication system, wherein the lubrication system continuously lubricates the drive shaft.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 46 words
The supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine according to claim 6 , wherein the blower drive shaft is operatively connected to the crank shaft with a connection assembly, wherein the connection assembly dampens the transmission of vibrational from the crank shaft to the blower drive shaft.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 75 words
The supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine according to claim 8 , wherein the connection assembly comprises: a blower drive pinion located on one end of the blower drive shaft; and a biased intermediate member located on the one end of the blower drive shaft, wherein the biased intermediate member applies a force on the blower drive pinion such that the blower drive pinion is engaged with a rotating member secured to the crank shaft.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 22 words
The supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine according to claim 9 , wherein the rotating member includes a plurality of rotating gears.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 23 words
The supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine according to claim 10 , wherein one of the rotating gears engages the blower drive pinion.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 71 words
The supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine according to claim 10 , wherein one of the rotating gears engages an engine starting mechanism, wherein the engine starting mechanism comprising: an engine starter; a drive pinion adapted to engage the rotating gear during an engine startup operation; and a linking mechanism providing a force on the drive pinion during the engine startup operation such that the drive pinion engages the rotating gear.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 42 words
The supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine according to claim 10 , wherein one of the rotating gears drives a balance shaft located within the crankcase, wherein the balance shaft is parallel to and spaced from the crank shaft within the crankcase.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 37 words
The supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine according to claim 10 , further comprising a generator, wherein the generator comprises: a stator; and at least one magnet, wherein the at least one magnet rotates around the stator.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 36 words
The supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine according to claim 14 , wherein the at least one magnet is mounted to a rotatable magnet wheel, wherein the rotatable magnet wheel is secured to the rotatable member.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 35 words
The supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine according to claim 15 , wherein the rotating member includes a plurality of rotating gears, wherein the rotatable magnet wheel is secured to one of the rotating gears.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 230 words
A personal watercraft, comprising: a hull; a seating assembly; and a four stoke internal combustion engine secured to the hull below the seating assembly, wherein the engine comprises: a crankcase having a crank shaft rotatably mounted therein, wherein the crankcase having a top, a bottom, a pair of sides and a pair of ends; a cylinder head connected to the top of the crankcase, wherein the crankcase and the cylinder head form at least one combustion cylinder chamber; at least one intake valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; at least one exhaust valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; a valve actuation assembly located in the cylinder head for operating the at least one intake valve and the at least one exhaust valve; at least one air intake passageway operatively coupled to the combustion cylinder chambers through the intake valves; an air intake manifold connected to the cylinder head and operatively connected to the at least one air intake passageway; a propulsion unit operatively coupled to the crankshaft, wherein the propulsion unit being located on one end of the pair of ends of the crankcase; and a supercharger for boosting air to the air intake manifold, wherein the supercharger is located at one of the pair of ends of the crankcase, wherein the supercharger is located on the same end of the crankcase as the propulsion unit.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 230 words
A personal watercraft, comprising: a hull; a seating assembly; and a four stoke internal combustion engine secured to the hull below the seating assembly, wherein the engine comprises: a crankcase having a crank shaft rotatably mounted therein, wherein the crankcase having a top, a bottom, a pair of sides and a pair of ends; a cylinder head connected to the top of the crankcase, wherein the crankcase and the cylinder head form at least one combustion cylinder chamber; at least one intake valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; at least one exhaust valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; a valve actuation assembly located in the cylinder head for operating the at least one intake valve and the at least one exhaust valve; at least one air intake passageway operatively coupled to the combustion cylinder chambers through the intake valves; an air intake manifold connected to the cylinder head and operatively connected to the at least one air intake passageway; a propulsion unit operatively coupled to the crankshaft, wherein the propulsion unit being located on one end of the pair of ends of the crankcase; and a supercharger for boosting air to the air intake manifold, wherein the supercharger is located at one of the pair of ends of the crankcase, wherein the supercharger is located on the same end of the crankcase as the propulsion unit.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 30 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 17 , wherein the air intake manifold comprises a central air passageway, wherein the central air passageway is operatively connected to a supercharger assembly.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 38 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 17 , wherein one end of the crank shaft extends from an end of the crankcase, wherein the supercharger is operatively connected to the crank shaft within a power take off housing.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 27 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 19 , wherein the supercharger includes a mounting portion, wherein the mounting portion is attached to the power take off housing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 46 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 20 , wherein the mounting portion is positioned within a mounting opening in the power take off housing, wherein at least one sealing ring is provided between the mounting portion and the mounting opening in the power take off housing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 75 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 20 , wherein the supercharger comprises: an inlet portion having an inlet opening for drawing a stream of air, wherein the inlet portion is connected to the mounting portion; and an air passageway extending from the inlet opening to the air intake manifold, wherein the air intake manifold comprises a central air passageway, wherein the central air passageway is operatively connected to the air passageway of the supercharger assembly.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 36 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 22 , wherein the supercharger further comprises: a blower located within the inlet portion for directing at a stream of air at an elevated rate to the air intake manifold.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 30 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 23 , wherein the blower includes a blower drive shaft, wherein the drive shaft is rotatably mounted within the mounting portion of the supercharger.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 42 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 24 , wherein the blower drive shaft is operatively connected to the crank shaft through a connection assembly, wherein the connection assembly dampens the transmission of vibrational from the crank shaft to the blower drive shaft.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 71 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 25 , wherein the connection assembly comprising: a blower drive pinion located on one end of the blower drive shaft; and a biased intermediate member located on the one end of the blower drive shaft, wherein the biased intermediate member applies a force on the blower drive pinion such that the blower drive pinion is engaged with a rotating member secured to the crank shaft.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 18 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 26 , wherein the rotating member includes a plurality of rotating gears.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 19 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 27 , wherein one of the rotating gears engages the blower drive pinion.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 19 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 27 , wherein one of the rotating gears engages an engine starting mechanism.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 56 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 29 , wherein the engine starting mechanism comprising: an engine starter; a drive pinion adapted to engage the rotating gear during an engine startup operation; and, a linking mechanism providing a force on the drive pinion during the engine startup operation such that the drive pinion engages the rotating gear.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 22 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 27 , wherein one of the rotating gears drives a balance shaft located within the crankcase.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 24 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 31 , wherein the balance shaft is parallel to and spaced from the crank shaft within the crankcase.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 36 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 25 , wherein the engine further comprising a generator, wherein the generator comprises: a stator; and at least one magnet, wherein the at least one magnet rotates around the stator.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 32 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 33 , wherein the at least one magnet is mounted to a rotatable magnet wheel, wherein the rotatable magnet wheel is secured to the rotatable member.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 18 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 34 , wherein the rotating member includes a plurality of rotating gears.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 21 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 35 , wherein the rotatable magnet wheel is secured to one of the rotating gears.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 22 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 23 , further comprising: a lubrication system, wherein the lubrication system continuously lubricates the drive shaft.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 17 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 17 , wherein the supercharger is a centrifugal type blower supercharger.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 15 words
The personal watercraft according to claim 38 , wherein the supercharger has a spiral housing.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 234 words
A supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine, comprising: a crankcase having a crank shaft rotatably mounted therein, wherein the crankcase having a top, a bottom, a pair of sides and a pair of ends; a cylinder head connected to the crankcase, wherein the crankcase and the cylinder head form at least one combustion cylinder chamber; at least one intake valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; at least one exhaust valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; a valve actuation assembly located in the cylinder head for operating the at least one intake valve and the at least one exhaust valve; at least one air intake passageway operatively coupled to the combustion cylinder chambers through the intake valves; an air intake manifold connected to the cylinder head and operatively connected to the at least one air intake passageway; a power take off housing located on one of the pair of ends of the crankcase, wherein the crank shaft extends into the power take off housing, wherein the crank shaft is operatively coupled to an output shaft for power take off, and a supercharger for boosting air to the air intake manifold, wherein the supercharger is a centrifugal type blower supercharger, wherein the supercharger has a spiral housing, wherein the supercharger is mounted to the power take off housing and is operatively connected to the crank shaft within the power take off housing.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 234 words
A supercharged four stroke internal combustion engine, comprising: a crankcase having a crank shaft rotatably mounted therein, wherein the crankcase having a top, a bottom, a pair of sides and a pair of ends; a cylinder head connected to the crankcase, wherein the crankcase and the cylinder head form at least one combustion cylinder chamber; at least one intake valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; at least one exhaust valve for each of the combustion cylinder chambers; a valve actuation assembly located in the cylinder head for operating the at least one intake valve and the at least one exhaust valve; at least one air intake passageway operatively coupled to the combustion cylinder chambers through the intake valves; an air intake manifold connected to the cylinder head and operatively connected to the at least one air intake passageway; a power take off housing located on one of the pair of ends of the crankcase, wherein the crank shaft extends into the power take off housing, wherein the crank shaft is operatively coupled to an output shaft for power take off, and a supercharger for boosting air to the air intake manifold, wherein the supercharger is a centrifugal type blower supercharger, wherein the supercharger has a spiral housing, wherein the supercharger is mounted to the power take off housing and is operatively connected to the crank shaft within the power take off housing.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2006-05-26 2006-11-25 2007-05-27 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2010-05-26 2010-11-25 2011-05-27 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2014-05-26 2014-11-25 2015-05-27 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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