# US 8,770,456 B2 · Recharge cycle function for combustion nailer > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,770,456 B2 - Document ID: US8770456B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/058,087 - Filed: 2006-11-17 - Published: 2011-08-25 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2006-10-16 - Assignees: Illinois Tool Works Inc. - Applicants: Larry Moeller; Frederic Nayrac; Hanxin Zhao - Inventors: Larry Moeller; Frederic Nayrac; Hanxin Zhao - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8770456B2 ## CPC - B25C 1/08: operated by combustion pressure - B25C: HAND-HELD NAILING OR STAPLING TOOLS; MANUALLY OPERATED PORTABLE STAPLING TOOLS (for shoemaking A43D) ## Abstract A combustion nailer includes a tool housing, and a combustion engine substantially located within the housing and including a valve sleeve reciprocating relative to a cylinder head for cyclically opening and closing a combustion chamber. A control system is associated with the housing and is connected to the combustion engine for providing for a designated open time for the combustion chamber after a combustion event and before a subsequent combustion can occur. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A combustion nailer, comprising: a tool housing; a combustion engine substantially located within said housing and including a valve sleeve reciprocating relative to a cylinder head for cyclically opening and closing a combustion chamber; a control system associated with said housing and connected to said combustion engine for providing for a designated open time for said combustion chamber after a combustion event and before a subsequent combustion can occur; and a lockout mechanism associated with said combustion engine for periodically retaining said valve sleeve closed, and connected to said control for remaining closed a preset period of time; wherein said designated open time is determined based on operational status of said combustion chamber and said lockout mechanism. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The nailer of claim 1 wherein said control system is configured for adding said designated open time as a delay factor in a tool operational cycle, postponing subsequent combustion events. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The nailer of claim 1 further including a chamber switch associated with said combustion engine and configured for being activated by said reciprocating movement of said valve sleeve, and said control system is configured for adding said designated open time to an operational cycle of the tool as a timer associated with said chamber switch. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The nailer of claim 1 wherein said designated open time is between 50 and 150 msec. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The nailer of claim 1 further including a chamber switch, and a trigger switch connected to said control system so that ignition is obtained upon closing of both said trigger switch and said chamber switch. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The nailer of claim 5 further including a supplemental switch disposed relative to said valve sleeve to determine whether said combustion chamber is open or closed. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The nailer of claim 1 wherein said designated open time begins after a release of said lockout mechanism. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The nailer of claim 1 wherein said designated open time is variable and is based on at least one of fan motor rpm, battery voltage, motor current draw, and tool operational mode. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The nailer of claim 1 wherein said designated open time is fixed. ### Claim 10 A combustion nailer, comprising: a tool housing; a combustion engine substantially located within said housing and including a valve sleeve reciprocating relative to a cylinder head for cyclically opening and closing a combustion chamber; a chamber switch associated with said combustion engine and configured for being activated by said reciprocating movement of said valve sleeve; a control system associated with said housing and connected to said chamber switch for providing for a designated open time for said chamber switch after a combustion event and before a subsequent combustion can occur; and a lockout mechanism associated with said combustion engine for periodically retaining said valve sleeve closed, and connected to said control system for remaining closed a preset period of time; wherein said combustion chamber remains open for at least a duration of said designated open time while said chamber switch is deactivated, and said lockout mechanism is released. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The nailer of claim 10 wherein said designated open time is based on at least one of fan motor rpm, battery voltage, motor current draw, and tool operational mode. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The nailer of claim 11 wherein said open time is variable. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The nailer of claim 10 further including a supplemental switch disposed relative to said valve sleeve to determine whether said combustion chamber is open or closed. ### Claim 14 A combustion nailer, comprising: a tool housing; a combustion engine substantially located within said housing and including a valve sleeve reciprocating relative to a cylinder head for cyclically opening and closing a combustion chamber; a chamber switch associated with said combustion engine and configured for being activated by said reciprocating movement of said valve sleeve; a supplemental chamber status sensor associated with said combustion engine and disposed relative to said valve sleeve to detect open and sealed positions of said combustion chamber; and a lockout mechanism associated with said combustion engine for periodically retaining said valve sleeve closed, and connected to a control system for remaining closed a present period of time, said control system configured for providing a designated open time for said combustion chamber after combustion event and before a subsequent combustion can occur; wherein said designated open time is determined based on operational status of said combustion chamber, said chamber switch, and said lockout mechanism. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The nailer of claim 14, wherein said supplemental sensor is a switch activated through movement of said valve sleeve. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The nailer of claim 15, wherein said supplemental sensor is a control system and the status of said combustion chamber is represented by a change in fan motor current draw.