Caterpillar Inc.

Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Benny Ballheimer

Stephen G Shoup

Michael J Smith

Steven R Baker

Nelson A Jones

John K Amdall

Michael K Stratton

Lloyd E Thompson

Dwight V Stone

Robert L Weber

James A Green

Kenton L Erickson

Kenneth R Kamman

Roger D Krikke

Adjustment capabilities are useful in gearing mechanisms so that backlash settings between gears may be changed to accommodate for normal operation, wear, or maintenance disturbances. The subject backlash adjustment mechanism allows for adjustment of center distances between an adjustable idler gear (23) and a camshaft gear (24), while providing a geometric alignment (47,82) relationship to maintain a substantially fixed center distance between the adjustable idler gear (23) and another mating gear (22). The subject backlash adjustment mechanism (26) has the adjustable idler gear (23) rotatably mounted on an idler gear mounting (31,58) having a slotted hole (33,62), with the idler gear mounting (31,58) being releasably connected to a cylinder block (11). When adjustment is required, the idler gear mounting (31,58) can be pivoted around a pivot (28,70) to the extent permitted by the slotted hole (33,62), thereby changing the position of the adjustable idler gear (23) relative to the position of the camshaft gear (24). The pivot (28,70) is fixedly connected to the cylinder block (11) between the centerlines (49,51) of the idler gear (23) and the mating gear (22) and being positioned substantially on a line (B) intersecting the centerlines (49,51) of the idler gear (23) and the mating gear (22).

Backlash adjustment mechanism

The design and manufacture of past fuel injection systems required extensive modification of the cylinder head in order to provide and actuate hydraulically actuated fuel injectors. Additionally, methods to avoid the cylinder head modifications have presented reliability concerns. The present invention overcomes these problems by providing an adapter assembly releasably connected to the cylinder head. The adapter assembly includes an adapter which has an integrally formed actuating fluid manifold and an integrally formed fuel manifold. The present invention provides a means for communicating between the actuating fluid manifold and the actuating fluid inlet passage of a hydraulically actuated fuel injector and a means for communicating between the fuel manifold and the fuel inlet passage of the fuel injector. Actuating fluid is communicated through the actuating fluid manifold and into the actuating fluid inlet passage in order to actuate the fuel injector. This results in a more reliable system which eliminates costly modifications to the cylinder head.

Method of and conversion kit for converting an engine to

Engines are needed to perform a variety of functions in a variety of horsepowers. The subject method of obtaining a longer stroke on an existing engine makes it possible to increase the horsepower capabilities without replacing or modifying the cylinder block or cylinder head. The method includes replacing the existing crankshaft with a crankshaft having a larger throw 'T' to increase the stroke length of the engine. In order to compensate for the increased stroke length, a spacer is provided. In addition, the existing connecting rod with the outer swing path 'S' is replaced with a connecting rod having an outer swing path 'S'. In order to avoid interference with the block the existing connecting rod bolts are replaced with connecting rod bolts having reduced diameter shanks and angularly disposing the bolts in relation to a connecting rod axis. The compression ratio os the long stroke engine is maintained substantially equivalent to that of the existing engine by increasing the clearance volume at top dead center within the bore in relation to the increased combustion volume created by the crankshaft having a larger throw 'T'.

Method of obtaining a longer stroke on an existing engine

Piston or similar article

Present day diesel engines having aluminum piston assemblies are limited to combustion chamber pressures of approximately 12,410 kPa (1,800 psi) whereas the desire is to increase such pressures up to the 15,170 kPa (2,200 psi) range. To reach such levels the instant piston assembly includes a steel piston member having an upper cylindrical portion of a diameter 'D' and a compression height 'CH'. The ratio of the compression height 'CH' to the diameter 'D' being within the range of from 60% to 45%. The piston member is preferably forged and subsequently machined to precisely controllable dimensions. Moreover, the piston assembly is preferably of the articulated type and includes a forged aluminum piston skirt connected to the piston member through a common wrist pin. Engine manufacturers are also demanding a smaller engine package size while retaining power output, improve fuel consumption and decreased emissions. The subject piston member provides a simple and inexpensive solution to the increased power output package size relationship. To insure a small engine package, the piston member has a compression height to maximum diameter ratio within the range of from 60% to 45%. The piston member is preferably made from a steel forging to insure a reduced porosity over that of existing standard castings.

Piston assembly and piston member thereof having a predetermined

The existing couplings used for transmission of torque uses a combination of mechanical springs or a combination of dampening devices such as cylindrical openings having pistons spring-biased therein. The cylindrical openings also have viscous fluid introduced therein and dampen the torque applied thereto. A coupling apparatus is provided for resiliently transmitting torque including a pin assembly positioned in mechanical connection between an annular plate member and a gear member, dampening backlash motion including a pin assembly and a mechanism for biasing a piston into contact with one of the gear member or annular plate member, and lubricating the interface between the components having relative oscillation therebetween. An interface between the moving parts, the annular plate and the gear, is providing and a lubrication system is provided to lubricate the interface.

Resilient coupling apparatus

Present day diesel engines having aluminum piston assemblies are limited to combustion chamber pressures of approximately 12,410 kPa (1,800 psi) whereas the desire is to increase such pressures up to the 15,170 kPa (2,200 psi) range. To reach such levels the instant engine has a piston assembly including a steel piston member having an upper cylindrical portion of a diameter D and defining a top surface, a depending tubular wall having a top ring groove a minimal elevational distance TRH below the top surface, and an annular cooling recess located beneath the top surface and juxtaposed to the top ring groove for removing heat away therefrom in use. The piston member is preferably forged and subsequently machined to precisely controllable dimensions, and has a ratio of TRH to D of less than 0.06. Moreover, the piston assembly is preferably of the articulated type and includes a forged aluminum piston skirt connected to the piston member through a common wrist pin. The skirt has an upwardly facing oil trough that is disposed in a cooperating relationship with the cooling recess of the piston member. A midsupported cylinder liner surrounds the piston assembly and a recess is provided thereabout at an elevation aligned with the top ring groove for maximizing cooling.

Engine including a piston member having a high top ring groove

Rigidifying or structural members are used to increase structural stiffness of cylinder block and consequently have reduced vibrations and noise emitted therefrom. These devices in the past have reduced serviceability, increased engine component complexity, increased cost and allowed additional interfaces for lubricant to leak therefrom. The subject structural member or rigidifying member provides a simple, inexpensive, light-weight solution to increasing structural stiffness of cylinder block. The subject structural member has an uninterrupted flange therearound and a plurality of equally spaced longitudinally positioned openings therethrough. The flange is secured in frictional contact with the inner mounting surface inside the oil pan. Thus, the interface for lubrication leakage of past members has been eliminated. The openings have reduced the weight of the member and provide an opening through which the crankshaft can swing preventing the need to increase the engine height. The structural member is free of connection with the main bearing caps which reduces component complexibility, cost and simplifies serviceability.

Internal combustion engine noise reduction plate

The design and construction of present midsupported liner and multipiece block engines has caused increased manufacturing cost and reduced engine reliability. The present invention overcomes these engine construction problems by using an engine structure comprises the bottom block portion, cylinder head, top block portion positioned between the bottom block portion and the cylinder head and midsupported cylinder liner. The cylinder liner and the top block portion form an annular space therebetween for cooling the combustion area. The top block portion is structurally designed to have a simple profile which is easy to cast, core and machine thereby reducing overall costs. The predetermined height of the top block portion 'H.sub.1 ' and the predetermined height of the annular space 'H.sub.2 ' combined with the ability to vary both or either further simplifies the manufacturing of a variety of engines having a variety of output horsepower and yet retain a high efficiency level. The top block portion concept eliminates bottom bores and reduces high stresses in the components within the engine thereby increasing life and reducing down time.

Engine having a multipiece cylinder block

Dual labyrinth fluid seal with fluid slinger

A prime mover (10) includes a housing (12), an end cover (18) secured to the housing (12), a driving shaft (22) mounted in the housing (12) and a driven member (49) mounted external of the end cover (18). A coupling mechanism (48) couples the driving shaft (22) to the driven member (49) to provide an arrangement that allows the removal of the driving shaft (22) without having to remove the end cover (18) and other associated elements. This provides a substantial time savings when removing a driving shaft (22) from a prime mover.

Coupling of driving member to driven member

An engine (10) has a journal (18), a connecting rod (14) and a bearing (16) positioned between the journal (18) and rod (14). A lubrication system (36) for the engine (10) has a first passage (38) in the journal (18) and second and third passages (40,42) disposed between the journal (18) and bearing (16). The first passage (38) is positionable in fluid communication with the second and third passages (40,42) in response to rotation of the journal (18) for supplying lubricant therethrough to the bearing (16), journal (18) and piston areas. The first passage (38) is in continuous fluid communication with at least one of the second and third passages (40,42) to supply an uninterrupted flow of lubricant for maximum lubrication and cooling of the bearing (16), journal (18) and piston areas of the engine (10). The second and third passages (40,42) are positioned at preselected angles (A.sub.4, A.sub. 7 ; A.sub.5, A.sub.6) from principal loading areas (26,28) of the bearing (16) to maximize bearing area for carrying the loads exerted through the connecting rod (14).

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Benny Ballheimer