Robert C Ernest

US Patent:

42122813, Jul 15, 1980

Filed:

Aug 14, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/933340

Inventors:

Robert P. Ernest - Dearborn Heights MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02B 7522

US Classification:

123193H

Abstract:

An internal combustion V-8 engine is disclosed having an aluminum semi-permanent mold head cast by a low-pressure die-cast process and an iron block cast by the evaporative casting method. The block and head have controlled thickness walls throughout to optimally lower the metal/working volume ratio of the engine. The block employs barrel cylinder walls cast integrally and unsupported except at the barrel ends and at a siamese connection between adjacent barrels; the barrels are maintained under a predetermined level of compression to eliminate fatigue failure and suppress sound. The block is sand cast and the head is totally formed with a three piece die and one sand core cluster, except for one passage which is drilled subsequent to casting. The engine is reduced in weight by at least 20% over conventional comparable engines; torque and horsepower is improved even though the cooling system capacity has been reduced to less than half that of a conventional cooling system.

US Patent:

40773663, Mar 7, 1978

Filed:

May 26, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/690116

Inventors:

Laszlo Hideg - Dearborn MI
Robert P. Ernest - Dearborn Heights MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02B 5302
F02B 5310

US Classification:

123203

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for improving the combustion process of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A prechamber containing a combustible mixture is designed to generate a torch eminating therefrom upon ignition; the torch is controlled to extend and penetrate deeply into the main combustion at a predetermined orientation without contact with the chamber walls. The swirling flame front of the sustained torch produces superior mixing with the unburned combustible mixture in the main combustion, particularly of a rotary engine. The prechamber is located outside the epitrochoid chamber of the rotary engine; in a nonstratified charge mode of this invention, the prechamber serves to receive a portion of the main chamber inducted charge during the compression cycle, which may lean and difficult to ignite in the main chamber. In the prechamber, concentrated hot walls and a localized spark facilitate ready ignition, which in turn permits generation of a torch therefrom. A scavenging system and method is disclosed which serves to drive residual gas elements from the prechamber after the completion of each combustion cycle; the scavenging apparatus may be operated with an independent gas supply, a supply derived from the carburetor or intake of the engine, or from the inducted mixture within the main chamber.

US Patent:

39812766, Sep 21, 1976

Filed:

Jun 6, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/476833

Inventors:

Robert P. Ernest - Dearborn Heights MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02B 5300

US Classification:

123 845

Abstract:

An induction and exhaust system for a rotary engine is disclosed which has a wing-type reed valve assembly disposed in the intake port of said system and effective to respond instantaneously to a back-flow differential pressure for closing the intake port; the assembly is capable of cycling at least 120 times/second. The system substantially eliminates various types of dilution and variance of the inducted mixture enabling a high velocity peripherally ported engine to deliver an improved low end engine torque characteristic and improved overall fuel economy for a passenger automotive vehicle. Various types of wing reed valve constructions are illustrated, the preferred mode having 16 reed valves arranged with the trailing edge of the assembly cage aligned with the exit of the intake port; the center line of the intake port is located substantially at theoretical zero pressure difference between the adjacent chambers defined by the rotor and housing. A multiple-staged carburetor increases road load induction velocities and the induction air fuel mixture is heated by the exhaust system in a controllable manner through the use of a modulating flapper valve disposed in a heat transfer section.

US Patent:

41096177, Aug 29, 1978

Filed:

Dec 22, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/753343

Inventors:

Robert P. Ernest - Dearborn Heights MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F01P 302

US Classification:

123 4174

Abstract:

A light metal die-cast head and cast iron block employ a low volume cooling system which cooperates with the differing thermal conductivity properties of said head and block. The cooling concept eliminates the conventional intricate water jacket and replaces it with continuous grooves which wrap hemi-cylindrically about each combustion cylinder in a thinly spaced relation. The grooves are exposed along their length at the deck surface of either the head or block. The total fluid mass in the system is reduced to as little as 1/5. There are two such grooves in the block which (a) extend from one end thereof to the opposite end, (b) are on opposed sides of the cylinder galleys and (c) have substantially no transverse flow in order to promote laminar or controlled flow. There is a critically located straight drilled passage along with two such grooves in the head, the combination of which is restricted in throat area when compared to the throat area of the grooves in the block; this results in a high velocity flow in the head and a low velocity flow in the block when they are connected in series flow relation. The straight longitudinally drilled passage (which may include one or more of such passages) is located in the head separating the exhaust and metal valve guides; the passage has a throat area equal to or less than the throat area of either of the grooves in the head.

US Patent:

41366484, Jan 30, 1979

Filed:

Dec 22, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/753347

Inventors:

Robert P. Ernest - Dearborn Heights MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02B 7522

US Classification:

123 55VE

Abstract:

An internal combustion V-8 engine is disclosed having an aluminum semi-permanent mold head cast by a low-pressure die-cast process and an iron block cast by the evaporative casting method. The block and head have controlled thickness walls throughout to optimally lower the metal/working volume ratio of the engine. The block employs barrel cylinder walls cast integrally and unsupported except at the barrel ends and at a siamese connection between adjacent barrels; the barrels are maintained under a predetermined level of compression to eliminate fatigue failure and suppress sound. The block is sand cast and the head is totally formed with a three piece die and one sand core cluster, except for one passage which is drilled subsequent to casting. The engine is reduced in weight by at least 20% over conventional comparable engines; torque and horsepower is improved even though the cooling system capacity has been reduced to less than half that of a conventional cooling system.

US Patent:

39644456, Jun 22, 1976

Filed:

May 3, 1974

Appl. No.:

5/466652

Inventors:

Robert P. Ernest - Dearborn Heights MI
Charles M. Jones - Detroit MI
Edwin J. Ounsted - Dearborn MI
Hai Wu - Northville MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02B 5510

US Classification:

123 801

Abstract:

A rotary engine employing an improved circumferential flow cooling system is employed to provide an increase in fuel economy and engine efficiency. Each housing unit has its own distinct flow circuit with the total volume of cooling medium being variably distributed among such units. The circuits employ flow foils, flow turbulizers, velocity variation and a variable epitrochoid wall thickness to provide flow characteristics which vary along the stations of the circuit. The variations promote a more uniform engine wall temperature throughout, the coolant can be operated at a higher overall temperature, and heat is transferred (extracted or injected) on a programmed basis along the flow circuit as needed.

US Patent:

40600580, Nov 29, 1977

Filed:

Nov 28, 1975

Appl. No.:

5/636184

Inventors:

Laszlo Hideg - Dearborn MI
Robert P. Ernest - Dearborn Heights MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02B 5312

US Classification:

123 809

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for improving the combustion process of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A prechamber containing a combustible mixture is designed to generate a torch eminating thereform upon ignition; the torch is controlled to extend and penetrate deeply into the main combustion at a predetermined orientation without contact with the chamber walls. The swirling flame front of the sustained torch produces superior mixing with the unburned combustible mixture in the main combustion, particularly of a rotary engine. The prechamber is located outside the epitrochoid chamber of the rotary engine; in a nonstratified charge mode of this invention, the prechamber serves to receive a portion of the main chamber inducted charge during the compression cycle, which may lean and difficult to ignite in the main chamber. In the prechamber, concentrated hot walls and a localized spark facilitate ready ignition, which in turn permits generation of a torch therefrom. A scavenging system and method is disclosed which serves to drive residual gas elements from the prechamber after the completion of each combustion cycle; the scavenging apparatus may be operated with an independent gas supply, a supply derived from the carburetor or intake of the engine, or from the inducted mixture within the main chamber.

US Patent:

42599326, Apr 7, 1981

Filed:

May 26, 1976

Appl. No.:

5/690118

Inventors:

Laszlo Hideg - Dearborn MI
Robert P. Ernest - Dearborn Heights MI

Assignee:

Ford Motor Company - Dearborn MI

International Classification:

F02B 5310

US Classification:

123209

Abstract:

An apparatus and method for improving the combustion process of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. A prechamber containing a combustible mixture is designed to generate a torch emanating therefrom upon ignition; the torch is controlled to extend and penetrate deeply into the main combustion at a predetermined orientation without contact with the chamber walls. The swirling flame front of the sustained torch produces superior mixing with the unburned combustible mixture in the main combustion, particularly of a rotary engine. The prechamber is located outside the epitrochoid chamber of the rotary engine; in a nonstratified charge mode of this invention, the prechamber serves to receive a portion of the main chamber inducted charge during the compression cycle, which may be lean and difficult to ignite in the main chamber. In the prechamber, concentrated hot walls and a localized spark facilitate ready ignition, which in turn permits generation of a torch therefrom. A scavenging system and method is disclosed which serves to drive residual gas elements from the prechamber after the completion of each combustion cycle; the scavenging apparatus may be operated with an independent gas supply, a supply derived from the carburetor or intake of the engine, or from the inducted mixture within the main chamber.