IP Library Granted Patent US 10,107,250
Granted Patent B2
US 10,107,250 · App. 15/261,508 · Granted Oct 23, 2018

Multiple-keyed flywheel and engine crankshaft

Inventors: Michael Kleczewski (Cleveland, WI); James Webster (Elkhart Lake, WI)
Assignee: Kohler Co.
F02P1/005F16C3/06F16F15/3153
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,107,250
App. No.
15/261,508
Granted
Oct 23, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

A multiple-keyed crankshaft and flywheel provides for different ignition timing options for an internal combustion engine. The crankshaft of the engine includes multiple keyways set at designated angular displacements of the crankshaft that correspond with keyways on a flywheel for providing different timing options for the engine. The flywheel may be mounted to the crankshaft by aligning one of the keyways of the flywheel to one of the keyways of the crankshaft related to a particular ignition timing selection.

Claims (19)

1. An apparatus comprising:

a crankshaft including a plurality of keyways at a distal end of the crankshaft, wherein the plurality of keyways correspond to different ignition timings;

a flywheel including a magnet for use with an ignition module and a center bore including at least one keyway on a circumference of the center bore;

a key aligning one of the plurality of keyways of the crankshaft to at least one keyway of the flywheel;

a controller configured to identify one of the plurality of keyways of the crankshaft to align with the at least one keyway of the flywheel; and

a sensor configured to measure oxygen,

wherein the controller is configured to evaluate the measured oxygen and identify the one of the plurality of keyways of the crankshaft to align with the at least one keyway of the flywheel in response to the measured oxygen.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the ignition module is a magneto ignition module configured to trigger ignition of a spark plug when the magnet passes the magneto ignition module.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one keyway of the flywheel includes two keyways spaced apart.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the two keyways are spaced apart in a range of 160 degrees to 180 degrees.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of keyways of the crankshaft includes two keyways spaced apart.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of keyways of the crankshaft includes two keyways spaced apart in a range of 160 degrees to 180 degrees.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one keyway of the flywheel includes indicia, the indicia being associated with one of the plurality of keyways of the crankshaft.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the distal end of the crankshaft is tapered to accept the flywheel.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:

a display for displaying a selected keyway of the plurality of keyways of the crankshaft to align with the at least one keyway of the flywheel.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one keyway of the flywheel includes three keyways, each spaced apart in a range of 120 degrees and the plurality of keyways of the crankshaft includes two keyways spaced apart 180 degrees.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the at least one keyway of the flywheel includes two keyways spaced apart 180 degrees from a center of the flywheel and the plurality of keyways of the crankshaft includes three keys ways, each spaced apart in a range of 110 to 130 degrees.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to identify a first indicia for the at least one keyway of the flywheel or a second indicia for the one of the plurality keyways of the crankshaft according to a predetermined timing setting.

Assignments (4)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded May 3, 2024
From: CURTIS INSTRUMENTS, INC.; DISCOVERY ENERGY, LLC; HEILA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067306/0903 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM) Recorded May 2, 2024
From: CURTIS INSTRUMENTS, INC.; DISCOVERY ENERGY, LLC; HEILA TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 067290/0853 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 1, 2024
From: KOHLER CO.
To: DISCOVERY ENERGY, LLC
Reel/Frame 067289/0516 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: KLECZEWSKI, MIKE; WEBSTER, JIM
To: KOHLER CO.
Reel/Frame 039736/0147 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20180073480A1 · Mar 15, 2018