Internal combustion engine
AssigneeMotorpat, L.L.C.
InventorWalter Schmied
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A power transfer assembly (2000) for transferring energy within a combustion engine (1010) externally of the engine. The power transfer assembly includes a crankshaft (2006) adapted to convert reciprocating motion to rotating motion. The power transfer assembly further includes an outdrive (2004, 2020, and/or 2026) adapted to transfer the rotating motion of the crankshaft to an external device requiring power. The outdrive is non-rigidly interfaced with the outdrive such that the crankshaft is permitted to freely rotate relative to the outdrive about at least one axis (2014) and freely move linearly in at least one direction (2027) relative to the outdrive during operation.
Claims32
A power transfer assembly for transferring energy within a combustion engine externally of the engine, the power transfer assembly comprising:
- (a) a crankshaft adapted to convert reciprocating motion to rotating motion;
- and
- (b) an outdrive adapted to transfer the rotating motion of the crankshaft to an external device requiring power, wherein the outdrive is non-rigidly interfaced with the crankshaft such that the crankshaft is permitted to freely rotate relative to the outdrive about at least one axis and freely move linearly in at least one direction relative to the outdrive during operation.
A power transfer assembly for transferring energy within a combustion engine externally of the engine, the power transfer assembly comprising:
- (a) a crankshaft adapted to convert reciprocating motion to rotating motion;
- (b) an outdrive adapted to transfer the rotating motion of the crankshaft to an external device requiring power;
- and
- (c) an interface assembly for non-rigidly interfacing the crankshaft with the outdrive to facilitate the transfer of power between the crankshaft and the outdrive, wherein the interface assembly permits the crankshaft to move freely relative to the outdrive in at least one linear direction.
A power transfer assembly for transferring energy within a combustion engine externally of the engine, the power transfer assembly comprising:
- (a) a crankshaft adapted to convert reciprocating motion to rotating motion;
- (b) an outdrive adapted to transfer the rotating motion of the crankshaft to an external device requiring power;
- and
- (c) an interface assembly for non-rigidly interfacing the crankshaft with the outdrive to facilitate the transfer of power between the crankshaft and the outdrive, wherein the interface assembly directly transfers a torque from the crankshaft to the outdrive while simultaneously impeding transfer of centrifugal forces from the crankshaft to the outdrive.
A power transfer assembly for transferring energy within a combustion engine externally of the engine, the power transfer assembly comprising:
- (a) a crankshaft adapted to convert reciprocating motion to rotating motion while rotating about a first axis and orbiting about a second axis;
- (b) an outdrive adapted to transfer the rotating motion of the crankshaft to an external device requiring power;
- and
- (c) an interface assembly for facilitating the transfer of power between the crankshaft and the outdrive, wherein the interface assembly non-rigidly interfaces the crankshaft with the outdrive such that a centrifugal force present in the crankshaft from the orbiting of the crankshaft about the second axis is not transferred to the outdrive during rotation of the crankshaft.
A power transfer assembly for transferring energy within a combustion engine externally of the engine, the power transfer assembly comprising:
- (a) a crankshaft adapted to convert reciprocating motion to rotating motion;
- (b) an outdrive non-rigidly interfaced with the crankshaft, the outdrive adapted to transfer the rotating motion of the crankshaft to an external device requiring power;
- and
- (c) a crankshaft counterweight rotatably coupled to the crankshaft for reducing vibrations in the crankshaft during operation, wherein the crankshaft counterweight is freely moveable along a path substantially radially oriented relative to an axis of rotation of the outdrive.
A power transfer assembly for transferring energy released within a combustion engine externally of the engine, the power transfer assembly comprising:
- (a) a crankshaft adapted to convert reciprocating motion to rotating motion, wherein the crankshaft is adapted to rotate about a center axis which in turn orbits about an orbit axis;
- (b) a direct outdrive interfaced with the crankshaft, wherein an orbital movement of the crankshaft causes rotary motion of the direct outdrive at a rate substantially equal to a rate at which the crankshaft orbits about the orbit axis;
- and
- (c) a reduced outdrive interfaced with the crankshaft, wherein a rotary movement and the orbital movement of the crankshaft combine to drive the reduced outdrive at a reduced rate relative to the direct outdrive.
A power transfer assembly for transferring energy released within a combustion engine externally of the engine, the power transfer assembly comprising:
- (a) a crankshaft adapted to convert reciprocating motion to rotating motion, wherein the crankshaft is adapted to rotate about a center axis which in turn orbits about an orbit axis;
- (b) a first direct outdrive and a second direct outdrive, each interfaced with the crankshaft at opposite ends of the crankshaft, wherein an orbital movement of the crankshaft causes rotary motion of the first and second direct outdrives at a rate substantially equal to a rate at which the crankshaft orbits about the orbit axis;
- and
- (c) a reduced outdrive interfaced with the crankshaft, wherein a rotary movement and the orbital movement of the crankshaft combine to drive the reduced outdrive at a reduced rate relative to the first and second direct outdrives.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.