Other

Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Adams, Joseph S.

Joseph S Adams

Donald L Van Erden

James E Doherty

James W Robinson

A combustion-powered tool comprises a primary combustion chamber, a secondary combustion chamber, and a working piston that is in fluidic connection with the secondary combustion chamber so as to be exposed to the pressures developed within the secondary combustion chamber, when combustion takes place within the secondary combustion chamber, such that the working piston can be driven through its working or power stroke. A flexible silicone rubber plate-type control check valve is interposed between the primary combustion chamber and the secondary combustion chamber so as to control the flow of combustion products from the primary combustion chamber into the secondary combustion chamber and yet prevent the flow of combustion products from the secondary combustion chamber back into the primary combustion chamber, when combustion occurs within the secondary combustion chamber, such that the pressures developed within the secondary combustion chamber, as a result of the combustion of the air/fuel mixture within the secondary combustion chamber, can in fact act upon the working piston so as to drive the same through its working or power stroke.

Combustion-powered tool with flexible silicone control check valve operable between a primary combustion chamber and a secondary combustion chamber

A gas-powered tool motor includes a combustion chamber with an intake valve at one end, an exhaust valve at another end, and a control plate or control valve between two portions of the combustion chamber. A piston or other positive displacement device is in communication with the combustion chamber. The intake and exhaust valves have closure members that are movable along a common axis in tandem between collective open positions for recharging the combustion chamber with the fuel and air mixture and collective closed positions for detonating the fuel and air mixture in the combustion chamber and displacing the positive displacement device. The control plate or control valve supports limited air flows from a first portion of the combustion chamber to a second portion of the combustion chamber even in the closed position of the control valve for supporting two-stage combustion.

Gas-powered tool motor

A new and improved combustion-powered fastener-driving tool utilizes a new and improved single component in-take/exhaust valve member which integrally defines both the intake and exhaust valves thereon. The intake/exhaust valve member is axially movable within the combustion chamber, and operatively cooperates with wall structure of the combustion chamber. When the intake/exhaust valve member is disposed, for example, at a first upper position, both the intake and exhaust ports defined within the wall structure of the combustion chamber are closed so as to permit the ignition and combustion phases of the tool-firing cycle to proceed, whereas, conversely, when the intake/exhaust valve member is disposed, for example, at a second lower position, both the intake and exhaust ports within the combustion chamber are open so as to permit incoming air to scavenge combustion exhaust products and to subsequently mix with injected fuel in preparation for the commencement of another tool-firing cycle.

Single component intake/exhaust valve member, fuel distribution system, and cooling system for combustion-powered fastener-driving tool

A new and improved combustion chamber and cooling system for a fastener-driving tool wherein a new and improved tangentially oriented, vortex induced fuel-injection system is operatively associated with the tool's combustion chamber. In addition, a new and improved trigger-controlled valve actuating system, such as, for example, a switch-operated, solenoid-actuated valve-controlling system, is incorporated within the tool so as to ensure the rapid operation of the intake and outlet valve structures. Still further, a sealed, liquid evaporative or liquid recirculating cooling system is integrally incorporated within the tool housing.

Combustion chamber and cooling system for fastener-driving tools

A fuel supply and combustion chamber system for a portable power tool, such as, for example, a fastener-driving tool, wherein the fuel supply and combustion chamber system can utilize liquid fuels. The fuel supply and combustion chamber system can comprise multiple combustion chambers for achieving predetermined combustion and power output characteristics. In addition, the fuel supply and combustion chamber system can utilize portioning valve structures for providing predetermined amounts of either a gaseous or liquid fuel into the portable power tool combustion chamber.

Fuel supply and combustion chamber systems for fastener-driving tools

A fuel supply and combustion chamber system for a portable power tool, such as, for example, a fastener-driving tool, wherein the fuel supply and combustion chamber system can utilize liquid or gaseous fuels. The fuel supply and combustion chamber system can comprise multiple combustion chambers for achieving predetermined combustion and power output characteristics. In addition, the fuel supply and combustion chamber system can utilize portioning valve structures for providing predetermined amounts of either a gaseous or liquid fuel into the portable power tool combustion chamber.

An exhaust check valve and piston return system wherein a main exhaust valve is opened as a result of combustion products from the combustion chamber being routed through a signal line. In addition, as a result of the opening of the main exhaust valve, an exhaust check valve, incorporated within a side wall portion of the cylinder housing at a location disposed downstream of the main exhaust valve, as considered in the direction of flow of the exhaust gases out from the combustion chamber, is forced to its open position so as to permit the combustion gases to be exhausted from the combustion chamber, thereby permitting the piston to move upwardly so as to complete its return stroke.

Exhaust check valve and piston return system

A combustion chamber system, for use in connection with internal combustion powered fastener-driving tools, comprises a dual-level combustion chamber comprising first and second pre-combustion and main combustion chambers, and a dual-level rotary valve mechanism which is operatively connected to the dual-level combustion chamber so as to control the intake of the air/fuel mixture as well as the scavenging or purging of the exhaust gases or combustion products. The first and second pre-combustion and main combustion chambers are also separated by a plate having a plurality of apertures defined therein whereby multiple jets or flame fronts are defined throughout the combustion chamber system.

Dual-level combustion chamber system, for fastener driving tool, having dual-level rotary valve mechanism incorporated therein

A liquid fuel supply and evaporator system for use in connection with combustion-powered fastener-driving tools comprises an evaporator housing which is disposed in thermal communication with the combustion chamber housing of the tool in order to absorb heat or thermal radiation generated within the tool combustion chamber. A sintered metal liquid fuel evaporator element is interposed between the evaporator housing and a liquid fuel distribution manifold whereby the liquid fuel is effectively converted into a gaseous fuel which is then transmitted by a gas distribution manifold toward the combustion chamber of the fastener-driving tool.

Fuel evaporator system for vaporizing liquid fuels to be used within combustion-powered devices

A cooling system for combustion-powered fastener-driving tools comprises the use of cooling fin structures upon the external wall members of the combustion chamber and cylinder. Fluid flow paths are constructed between internal wall portions of a surrounding tool housing and the cooling fin structures mounted upon the external wall members of the combustion chamber and cylinder. In this manner, ambient cooling air is passed over and through the cooling fin structures whereby the combustion chamber and cylinder components of the fastener-driving tool are efficiently cooled such that the temperature level of the fastener-driving tool is maintained at a desirable temperature level despite the substantial amount of heat normally generated during each combustion cycle.

Jet pump cooling system for combustion-powered fastener-driving tools

An onboard combustion-gas-powered engine supplies power to a paintball marker or other projectile launcher by generating gas pressure pulses for propelling paintballs and other projectiles. The combustion gases produced by the engine can be allowed to rise in pressure within a confined volume of space before being released through a valve into a barrel for applying enhanced pressure pulses to the projectiles. A loading system is linked to a combustion accelerating system for automatically loading projectiles into the launcher.

Combustion-gas-powered paintball marker

A new and improved combustion-powered linear air motor/compressor wherein the new and improved combustion-powered linear air motor/compressor comprises new and improved structure for achieving the scavenging of residual combustion products or exhaust gases from the combustion chamber during the return stroke of the power piston assembly. More particularly, the speed and efficiency of the scavenging of the residual combustion products or exhaust gases is able to be achieved as a result of the power piston assembly causing fresh or ambient air to be rammed or forced into, through, and out of the combustion chamber during its return stroke.

Combustion-powered linear air motor/compressor

A recycling system for linear motors includes a dual piston within a cylinder housing that is moved from an upper position to a lower position by combustion pressure such that a first portion of the piston pumps compressed air from a first air chamber within a first bore of the cylinder housing and a second portion of the piston pumps compressed air from a second air chamber within a second larger bore of the cylinder housing. An exhaust valve is opened by the compressed air for venting the combustion chamber to atmosphere. The dual piston moves within the cylinder housing from the lower position to the upper position assisted by the compressed air such that a portion of the volume of the combustion chamber is converted into a portion of the volume of the second air chamber. A control valve is opened in response to movement of the dual piston through the upper position for allowing airflow from the second air chamber into the combustion chamber.

Recycler for linear motor

A gas combustion-powered apparatus includes a piston chamber housing a driveable piston, and a combustion chamber having a generally flat wall assembly and a cup-shaped wall defining at least one combustion volume therebetween. The cup-shaped wall is moveable in relation to the piston chamber, and has a generally flat portion opposing, and generally parallel to, the generally flat wall assembly. An ignition source is in operable relationship to the combustion volume, which can ignite a combustible gas within the combustion volume. The piston forms at least a portion of the generally flat wall assembly when the piston is in an undriven state.

Combustion apparatus having collapsible volume

The intermittent linear motor of this invention incorporates features which enhance the exhaust scavenging and cooling processes, as well as simplifying overall construction including a compression plenum below the piston where air displaced during a power stroke by the piston is immediately transferred through the combustion chamber allowing said compressed air to immediately begin scavenging exhaust gases as the piston is returned further displacing spent gases from the motor.

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Salt Spring Island, Canada

Joseph S Adams