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US 4,394,854 AGranted
Method and apparatus for separably connecting crankshafts in internal combustion engines
AssigneeLuk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
InventorLothar Huber
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AssigneeLuk Lamellen und Kupplungsbau GmbH
InventorLothar Huber
Estimating the term…
A positive engagement clutch between the serially connected coaxial first and second crankshafts in an internal combustion engine is activated upon acceleration of the second crankshaft to the speed of the first crankshaft and after the second crankshaft assumes a predetermined angular position relative to the first crankshaft. The acceleration is performed by a friction clutch which is interposed between first and second camshafts which are respectively driven by and drive the first and second crankshafts. The first crankshaft and the associated camshaft form part of a normally operative first section of the engine wherein the first crankshaft is rotatable by one or more cylinders whenever the engine is running. The second crankshaft and the associated second camshaft form part of a second section of the engine wherein the crankshaft is rotatable by one or more additional cylinders upon direct coupling of the two crankshafts to each other. Each section of the engine may be installed in a discrete cylinder block or both sections may have a common casing.
A method of establishing a separable connection between a rotating first crankshaft and a second crankshaft in an internal combustion engine wherein the first and second crankshafts respectively form part of discrete first and second units and the first and second units respectively further comprise first and second cylinder means for rotating the respective crankshafts and first and second camshafts rotating with the respective crankshafts, comprising the steps of accelerating the second crankshaft through the medium of the first camshaft;
In an internal combustion engine, the combination of a first engine section having a normally rotating first crankshaft rotatable by first cylinder means and a first camshaft rotatable by said first crankshaft;
Apparatus for connecting or disconnecting first and second sections of an internal combustion engine, comprising first and second rotary crankshafts respectively forming part of said first and second sections;
Apparatus for connecting or disconnecting first and second sections of an internal combustion engine, comprising first and second rotary crankshafts respectively forming part of said first and second sections;
Apparatus for connecting or disconnecting first and second sections of an internal combustion engine, comprising first and second rotary crankshafts respectively forming part of said first and second sections;
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.