Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Caterpillar Inc.

Michael K Stratton

John M Bailey

Frank E Keske

Alexander Goloff

Benny Ballheimer

Clifford Otto Jeske

James D Sparks

Alan R Stockner

Harold C Powers

Karl R Engquist

John J Cychul, Jr

Darrell E Stafford

The design and construction of past articulated pistons has failed to include the most efficient cooling reservoir for transferring heat from the piston to the coolant. The present invention overcomes these problems by using an annular cooling recess of a precisely defined cross sectional shape and volume and a baffle plate fixedly sealingly attached in heat conducting relationship to the piston member to form a cooling gallery. The baffle plate has an opening therein and an upwardly extending raised portion to preestablish a trapped volume of coolant therein. The assembly, positioning of the plate and the preestablished trapped volume insures high efficiency of the coolant to absorb heat through the scrubbing action of the coolant on the recess and the heat absorbed by the trapped coolant because of the heat conducting relationship of the plate and the piston member.

Articulated piston with a cooling recess having a preestablished volume

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

PCT No. PCT/US79/00382 Sec. 371 Date June 4, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date June 4, 1979 PCT Filed June 4, 1979 PCT Pub. No. W080/02654 PCT Pub. Date Dec. 11, 1980 Fuel injectors operate in a high temperature environment associated with fuel combustion. Temperature control of the nozzle end of fuel injectors is advantageous. An improvement is provided in controlling the temperature of a fuel injector (12) adjacent the nozzle end (36) by conducting fluid toward and away from the nozzle end (36) by way of passages (52,54) formed in a retainer sleeve (48) associated with the fuel injector (12).

Temperature controlled unit injector

An exhaust manifold for an internal combustion engine is provided with internal insulation so as to maintain the outside skin temperature preferably below 450.degree. F. The manifold is provided with an exhaust conduit or lining that is comprised of interfitting relatively axially movable sections in contact with the exhaust gases. A low specific gravity or porous sleeve of insulating material is fitted in slightly spaced relationship around the exhaust conduit. The sleeve of insulating material may be wrapped to prevent the metal of the outer cast manifold housing from penetrating the insulation. Each section of the exhaust conduit has a branch for connection to a flanged nipple which is permitted some limited movement relative to the manifold housing when connected to the exhaust ports of the engine.

Insulated exhaust manifold

An internal combustion engine including at least one cylinder defining a combustion chamber, a piston reciprocal within the cylinder, at least one port in the combustion chamber, a valve within the port and movable between positions opening and closing the port, a camshaft, a valve train operated by the camshaft for moving the valve between the positions, the valve train including a hydraulic valve lifter, an oil supply line for providing oil to the hydraulic valve lifter and a device for at least partially interrupting the supply of oil to the hydraulic valve lifter for predetermined operational conditions of the engine to thereby intentionally induce valve lash into the system at the predetermined operational conditions. At low engine speeds or during cranking for startup, the induced valve lash increases compression to maximize engine efficiency at low speeds or during startup, while at overspeed conditions, prevents valve train separation and/or lifter pumpup to prevent interference between valves and pistons which would damage the engine.

Speed controlled hydraulic lifter for internal combustion engines

The block of an internal combustion engine has a cylinder cooling jacket which communicates a circulating coolant to a head jacket. An overflow passage, terminating at an inlet positioned in close proximity to an upper wall of the head delays communication of coolant to an outlet manifold until the coolant exceeds a predetermined level in the head jacket to insure the prior purging of air and vapor therefrom.

Air purging and cooling system for internal combustion engines

There is disclosed sealing means for effecting a seal between two adjacent members, one of which rotates relative to the other, comprising a convoluted resilient metal ring bonded to an elastomeric support member; the convoluted wall of the ring provides radial resiliency whereby dimensional displacement of the sealed members may be accommodated and a substantially leak-free fit obtained, thereby preventing fluid leakage between the members, while at the same time allowing the seal to tolerate high peripheral speeds between the members and to resist and compensate for wear. An elastomeric support member acts as a supplemental seal to the ring and provides additional elasticity for accomodating lateral displacement of the rotatable member, while maintaining an effective fluid-tight seal.

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Michael K Stratton