Norman H Beachley

US Patent:

63152657, Nov 13, 2001

Filed:

Apr 13, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/548635

Inventors:

Scott Peter Adler - Waunakee WI
Norman Henry Beachley - Verona WI
Frank John Fronczak - Madison WI
Ahmad Mohammad Sabri - Madison WI

Assignee:

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation - Madison WI

International Classification:

F16K 31122
F01L 902

US Classification:

251 28

Abstract:

The invention involves a variable valve timing actuator that allows the opening and closing of engine valves to be variably and individually controlled without using a camshaft. The invention utilizes energy regeneration so energy delivered to a valve while accelerating it is recovered while it is decelerating. Regeneration is preferably provided by potential energy storage devices such as springs. Energy losses are made up by adding energy to the actuator while the valve is stationary (or nearly so) in an open or closed state. This is done by (1) moving the spring seats in relation to the valve, thereby "charging" the springs in relation to the valve, and/or by (2) moving the valve with respect to the spring seats to "charge" the springs with respect to the valve. This energy addition is extremely efficient because it is performed after the potential energy within the springs has already been expended and the valve is sitting stationary in its open and closed positions. To hold the valve stationary when desired, a latch (e. g.

US Patent:

50674560, Nov 26, 1991

Filed:

Nov 16, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/614208

Inventors:

Norman H. Beachley - Verona WI
Frank J. Fronczak - Madison WI

International Classification:

F02B 7532

US Classification:

123197AC

Abstract:

An internal combustion engine utilizing hypocycloid movement has a crankshaft having a small crank pin construction wherein the piston rod end is supported rotatably on an eccentric disc which, in turn, is journalled for rotation on the crankpin. A rigid interconnected subassembly of the eccentric disc, counterweights and a pinion gear is rotatably mounted on the crankpin in a manner to distribute the piston loads to the opposite pin ends, thereby reducing crankpin bending stresses. The main crankshaft support bearings are located directly adjacent the crankpin ends, thereby further reducing crankpin bending stresses. A two-piece crankshaft construction allows the crankshaft to be preassembled for machining, disassembled for mounting the piston subassembly thereon, and reassembled. The modified hypocycloid gearing assembly includes a rotatable internal ring gear transmitting a portion of the torque produced by the piston force to the output shaft via the pinion gear and an idler gear and sun gear assembly. The remaining portion of the torque produced by the piston force is transmitted directly through the crankshaft.

US Patent:

59710276, Oct 26, 1999

Filed:

Jun 24, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/881865

Inventors:

Norman H. Beachley - Verona WI
Frank J. Fronczak - Madison WI

Assignee:

Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation - Madison WI

International Classification:

F16L 5504

US Classification:

138 31

Abstract:

An energy storage device particularly suitable for use in hybrid fluid power systems and fluid systems utilizing accumulators. A piston accumulator has a primary face on one end of the piston and a series of secondary faces on the opposite end of the piston. Each face has an associated chamber, and one or more of the chambers of the secondary faces may be selectively connected to a system pressure line. Since the pressure of the system pressure line depends on (and varies with) the number of chambers connected thereto, the potential energy of the chamber of the primary face may be delivered to the system pressure line at a variety of output pressures. Similarly, the chamber of the primary face may be recharged with energy at a variety of input pressures.

Author:

Norman H. Beachley

ISBN #:

0060405570