DIESEL AIRCRAFT ENGINE

• US 20130019818A1
• Filed: 05/16/2008
• Published: 01/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Michael J. Fuchs, Steven M. Weinzierl
• Original Assignee: Michael J. Fuchs, Steven M. Weinzierl
• Inventors: Fuchs, Michael J., Weinzierl, Steven M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,453,611 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 123/41.01
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 61/04 for driving propellers
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/24 with cylinders arranged oppositely relative to main shaft and of "flat" type
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/246 with only one crankshaft of the "pancake" type, e.g. pairs of connecting rods attached to common crankshaft bearing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2183 Counterbalanced

Abstract

The present invention is an engine, including two banks of cylinders in a flat, opposed cylinder arrangement and a crankshaft having a plurality of paired throws, the two throws of each respective pair of throws being disposed adjacent to each other and coplanar with respect to each other.

Claims

1. An integrated engine comprising:

a unitary structure including at least the components of;

two banks of cylinders in a flat, opposed cylinder arrangement;

a crankshaft including multiple paired throws, each of the paired throws supporting a pair of connecting rods, each of the pair of connecting rods associated with an opposing cylinder; and

first and second heat exchangers arranged above the opposing cylinders and configured to cool the engine.

2. The engine according to claim 1, comprising a third heat exchanger arranged between the opposing cylinders.

3. The engine according to claim 2, wherein the first and second heat exchangers are arranged on one side of the crankshaft and the third heat exchanger is arranged on a side of the crankshaft opposite the one side.

4. The engine according to claim 2, comprising an air charge compressor and wherein the first heat exchanger is an air charge cooler assembly, the second heat exchanger is a liquid engine cooler assembly, and the third heat exchanger is a liquid oil cooler assembly.

5. The engine according to claim 4, wherein the air charge compressor is a pair of turbochargers, a respective turbocharger being powered by exhaust from a respective bank of cylinders.

6. The engine according to claim 5, wherein the air charge cooler is an intercooler arranged between an air box and first and second intake plenums that are respectively in communication with first and second banks of the two banks of cylinders.

7. The engine according to claim 1, comprising a common shroud arranged over the first and second heat exchangers.