Engine with split crankshaft and crankshaft half disabling means
This patent describes a block defining piston bores each having a piston reciprocal therein, crankshaft means including two separate crankshaft sections journalled from the block, connecting rod means connecting at least one piston to each crankshaft section for reciprocation for the pistons responsive to rotation of the crankshaft sections, countershaft means journalled from the block. A pair of drive means each drivingly connect a corresponding crankshaft section to the countershaft. At least one of the drive means includes a remotely operable clutch means for declutching and clutching the corresponding crankshaft section from and to the countershaft, respectively, and incorporating indexing means operative to automatically index the corresponding crankshaft section to the countershaft in the same indexed position each time the clutch means clutches the corresponding crankshaft section to the countershaft. The block comprises the block of an internal combustion engine and the engine includes cylinder head means closing one set of corresponding ends of the bores. The cylinder head means include intake and exhaust ports opening into each cylinder and valve means for opening and closing the intake and exhaust ports of each cylinder in timed sequence with reciprocation of the corresponding piston, and driven actuator means for the valve means driven from the countershaft.
- Assignee:
- NOV; EDB-88-078412; NOV-88-004076
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4722308
- OSTI ID:
- 5331516
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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