Textron Corporation

Li-Hsiung Liu

Lakhbir S Suchdev

Jack E Campbell

The invention is directed to a rotor for a centrifugal clutch of the type where the rotor resides inside a drum and engages the drum above a predetermined speed. The rotor comprises a plurality of randomly oriented similar rotor elements each capable of expanding ourwardly independently of one another to engage the drum. The rotor elements are preferably stamped from sheet metal.

Multi element rotor for a centrifugal clutch

Automatic compression release for a two-cycle engine is provided in a simple and effective manner by connecting a chamber defined by a diaphragm to the crankcase of the engine with a fluid flow path defining structure. In the fluid flow path, a check valve and orifice are disposed in parallel. The check valve, for example, a duckbill valve, allows the flow of fluid from the diaphragm chamber to the crankcase but not vice versa, and fluid can bleed through the orifice in either direction. The diaphragm operatively engages a valve stem, and a first spring biases the valve stem so that the valve is in open position. A second spring biases the valve to the closed position, and when the first spring is neutralized by a vacuum drawn in the diaphragm chamber, the valve will close. The valve is in communication with a pressure relief opening at an end of the engine cylinder opposite the crankcase.

Automatic compression release for two-cycle engine

A speed governor for an internal combustion engine comprises a flexible reed having a portion overlying the air intake aperture of the carburetor. The overlying portion of the reed is movable by flexing of the reed from a normal open position to a closed position in which it at least partially blocks the air intake aperture. The reed is tuned to vibrate at a frequency approximately equal to that of air intake pulses at selected maximum engine speed. As the engine speed approaches the selected maximum, the air intake pulses induce resonant vibration of the reed so as to bring the overlying portion intermittently into closed position. The air intake of the engine is thereby reduced so as to limit engine speed in part by providing a lesser charge and in part by increasing the fuel/air ratio to the point where engine power is reduced.

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Matthews, NC, United States of America

Li-Hsiung Liu