Multiple stage reed valves for use in internal combustion engines

In a multiple stage reed valve for controlling fluid intake into an internal combustion engine, said reed valve including a first stage valve member having a port therein to permit fluid flow therethrough and being sufficiently flexible to open under a decrease in pressure in the engine incident to higher speed engine operation but being sufficiently rigid to open minimally under the influence of decrease in pressure in the engine incident to lower speed engine operation, and a second stage valve member being adapted to cover the port in the first stage reed member and to restrict fluid flow through the reed valve during periods of no fluid intake into the engine, the second stage reed member being sufficiently flexible to uncover the port in the first stage reed member under the influence of decrease in pressure in the engine incident to engine operation at all engine speeds, the improvement which comprises:

• the first stage reed member being constructed from a relatively thick, resilient material;
• the port in the first stage reed member being dimensioned to overcome the resiliency of the material of the first stage reed member in order to provide sufficient flexibility of the first stage reed member;
• and
• a web of material being provided within the port to assist in supporting the second stage reed member when the second stage reed member is closed against the first stage reed member, the web comprising an extension of the first stage reed member which protrudes into the port only in part.

A reed valve for controlling fluid flow into an internal combustion engine through a fluid intake, which comprises:

• a first stage reed member and a second stage reed member;
• the first stage reed member covering a valve seat oriented in a fluid intake of the engine and being sufficiently flexible to open the valve seat under the influence of decrease in pressure in the engine incident to higher speed engine operation but being sufficiently rigid to open minimally under the influence of decrease in pressure in the engine incident to lower speed engine operation, said first stage reed member having therein a port to permit fluid flow therethrough;
• the second stage reed member being adapted to cover the port in the first stage reed member and to restrict fluid flow through the reed valves during periods of no fluid intake into the engine, the second stage reed member being sufficiently flexible to uncover the port in the first stage reed member under the influence of decrease in pressure in the engine incident to engine operation at all engine speeds;
• wherein the port of the first stage reed member is of greater dimension in its width, perpendicular to the flow of fluid, than it is in its length;
• and
• wherein the first stage reed member includes a web protruding into the port only in part to assist in supporting the second stage reed member intermediate its ends during periods of no fluid intake into the engine, the web comprising an extension of the first stage reed member.