‘ oct.- 25, 1960
2,957,455
C. H. BOUVY
V-SIX ENGINES
2 VSheets-Sheet 1
Filed Dec. 1,- 1958
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Oct. 25, 1960
c. H. BouvY
2,957,455
V-SIX ENGINES
Filed Dec. 1, 1958
2 Sheets-Sheet 2
OFFSET
6
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United States Patent C Fr'ice
l1.
2,957,455
Patented Oct. 25, 1960
2
2,957,455
V-SIX ENGINES
Christiaan H. Bouvy, Bloomfield Township, Mich., as
signor to John Dolza, Fenton, Mich.
Filed Dec. 1, 1958, Ser. No. 777,362
5 Claims. (Cl. 121-120)
take and exhaust valves 15 and 16, intake and exhaust
manifolds 17 and 18, and other conventional engine ele
ments of detail and design well known in the art. The
engine intake and exhaust valves 15 and 16 are operated
by a cam shaft 19 having a plurality of angularly related
cams 20 thereon for opening and closing the said intake
' and exhaust valves through suitable valve operating mech
anism 21 at proper timed relationship to established firing
intervals of the said engine cylinders 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
The said engine cylinders are tired in a selected firing
order by the spark plugs 14 and a conventional ignition
system, not shown.
The said V-six engine 10 has a crankshaft 22 mounted
in the engine block 11 on suitable main bearings 23, the
This invention relates to V-six type internal combus 15 said crankshaft 22 being provided with conventional crank
pins 24, one for each cylinder, preferably located in the
tion engines, and in particular to improved crank pin ar
angular relationship indicated diagrammatically in Figs.
rangement and balancing means for V-six engines wherein
3 and 4. The said crank pins 24 are numbered l, 2, 3, 4,
the included angle of the two cylinder banks, commonly
5 and 6 in Figs. 2 and 4 to correspond to the cylinders
called the V-angle or block angle, deviates from the nor
20 numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 opposite a bore of which
mal commonly used 60 degrees.
primary unbalanced couples in the two cylinder banks
produce a rotating couple of constant magnitude which
each is located. The crank pin circle 220 upon which the
crank pins rotate about the longitudinal center line of the
crank shaft 22 is indicated by dot and dash lines in Figs.
l and 2. Each cylinder 1-6 inclusive has a conventional
grees normally employed would result in unequal ñring
design selected by the engine designer. Accordingly, de
In a V-six engine, if the crank pin or crank angle is
made equal to 180 degrees minus twice the V-angle, the
can be neutralized by the use of suitable crankshaft 25 piston 25 reciprocatingly mounted therein connected
through a wrist pin 26 and connecting rod Z7 to a corre
counterweights.
sponding crank pin 1-6 inclusive of the crankshaft 22.
For example, if the V-angle in a V-six engine were
Fig. 1 shows the aforementioned construction in detail
made 62 degrees instead of the usual 60 degrees, a crank
for cylinders 1 and 2 and crank pins 1 and 2, crank pin
angle of 180 degrees minus 2X62degrees, or a 56 de
gree crank angle, would be necessary to satisfy the re 30 locations 3, 4, 5 and 6 being indicated diagrammatically.
‘ Asso far described, the V-six engine 10 illustrating the
quirement for primary balance. However, such‘a crank
invention
is conventional, and may be of any detail and
angle deviation from the normal crank angle of 60 de
tailed description of the conventional elements of the said
intervals of the several engine cylinders. Such unequal
firing intervals would be undesirable and would introduce 35 V-six engine 10 employed to illustrate the invention is un
necessary, and the novel features of the invention now
into the engine increased torque variations that would be
difficult to absorb or cope with.
,
may be described as follows.
In a conventional V-six engine, the center line of the
The primary object of the instant invention is to pro
cylinder bores of the two cylinder banks generally inter
vide a V-six engine having other than 60 degree V-angle
and a suitable olf-angle crank pin or crank angle relation 40 sect at the longitudinal center line of the crankshaft, and
the V-angle of the cylinder bores is 60 degrees or a mul
ship necessary to satisfy the requirement for primary
tiple thereof to provide equal firing intervals of the cylin
balance, and at the same time provide for equal firing
ders. Also, in a conventional 60 degree V-six engine,
intervals of the several engine cylinders.
the crank angle or the relationship between pairs of ad
Other objects of the invention will become apparent by
reference to the following detailed description taken in 45 jacent crank pins is 60 degrees.
In a V-six engine embodying the instant invention, the
connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
selected V-angle between the center lines of cylinder
Fig. 1 is a cross sectional view of a V-six internal com
bores of the two cylinder banks is preferably made greater
bustion engine embodying the invention. Y
p
than 60 degrees, and the center lines of the said cylinder
Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the V-angle or
bores of the two cylinder banks of the engine block are
50
block angle and crank pin or crank angle relationship of
disposed parellel to and offset from lines defining the said
a V-six engine embodying the invention.
selected V-angl'e intersecting the longitudinal center line
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view showing a pre
ofthe crankshaft.
‘
,
ferred arrangement of cylinders of the V-six engine dis
If the selected V-angle between the cylinder bores of
closed in Fig. l.
f
Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic plan view showing the crank 55 the two banks of cylinders is made 62 degrees rather than
the normal V-angle of 60 degrees, an off-angle crank
shaft of the V-six engine disclosed in Fig. l and the pre
relationship between pairs of adjacent crank pins of 180
ferred arrangement of the main crankshaft bearings and
degrees minus two times 62 degrees, or 56 degrees, would
crank pin bearings.
.
be necessary to satisfy the requirement for primary engine
Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference
characters refer to like and corresponding parts through 60 balance; however, such a relationship would result in a
condition of unequal tiring intervals, which is highly un
out the several views, Fig. 1 shows a cross sectional view
desirable and difficult to cope with.
of a V-six engine 10 embodying the invention taken trans
ln the instant invention, equal firing intervals with
versely through cylinders 1 and 2 as numbered in Fig. 3.
such an olf-angle crank relationship as set forth above is
The said V-six engine 10 includes the usual engine bloc-k
11 having cylinders 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 therein arranged 65 obtained by offsetting the center line of the cylinder bores
of the two banks of cylinders a distance X with respect
in two banks 12 of three cylinders each, each cylinder
to the lines defining the selected V-angle intersecting the
bank 12 being disposed at an angle of other than 60
longitudinal center line of the crankshaft.
degrees with respect to the opposite cylinder bank, all as
If the engine has a stroke equal to S, and a connecting
hereinafter described in detail.
‘s
Y _ ` '
7 O rod length equal to L, then the offset X of the said cylin
`The said engine 10 has a head 13 >for each bank of
cylinders 12 which includes the _usual spark plugs 14, in
der axis withv respect to the said lines definingl the said
2,957,455
3
4
selected V-angle intersecting the longitudinal center line
in an off-angle crank relationship equal to 60 degrees
minus two times alpha, wherein
of the crankshaft would be:
X equals (L plus 1/2S) sin. V2
(the block angle minus 60 degrees)
Selected block angle equals 60 degrees plus alpha,
Alpha equals the number of degrees of deviation of the
selected block angle from 60 degrees,
S equals length of stroke, and
L equals length of connecting rod.
or
X equals (L plus l/2S) sin. alpha
2
Accordingly, the following relationship is necessary 10
2. A V-six engine including an engine block having
cylinder bores therein forming two banks of three cyl
inders each arranged in V-relationship, a piston in each
dition for primary engine balance:
cylinder bore, a crankshaft including three pairs of crank
pins arranged in 120 degree relationship, and connecting
Alpha is the number of degrees of deviation of the select 15 rods connecting said pistons to said crank pins with each
ed block angle from 60 degrees.
of a pairof generally laterally opposite pistons connected
in an engine embodying the invention to obtain equal
cylinder firing intervals and also satisfy the required con
Selected block angle equals 60 degrees plus alpha.
Crank angle of pairs of adjacent engine cranks equals
60 degrees minus 2 times alpha.
Cylinder bore offset equals
(L plus 1/2S) sin. 31%)@
S equals length of stroke.
L equals length of connecting rod.
With such an engine, vertical space can be saved, which
through a pair of connecting rods to each of a pair of
crank pins, the said engine having a selected V-angle be
tween the center lines of the bores of the two cylinder
20 banks of less than 60 degrees, the center lines of the said
cylinder bores of the two cylinder banks being disposed
parallel to and offset inwardly from lines defining the
said selected V-angle intersecting the longitudinal center
line of the crankshaft, the said cylinder bore offset being
25 equal to
(L plus 1/2S) sin. alpha
2
is of utmost importance in many engine installations.
Also, the increased crankpin overlap provided results in 30 the crank pins of each pair of crank pins being disposed
greater strength and stiffness throughout the engine. And
in an off-angle crank relationship equal to 60 degrees
further, increased crankcase compactness and reduction
plus two times alpha, wherein
in engine weight is accomplished by virtue of a reduc
tion in the longitudinal center line distance between the
Selected block angle equals 60 degrees minus alpha,
crankshaft and the camshaft occasioned by disposing the 35 Alpha equals the number of degrees of deviation of the
cylinder banks on an angle greater than the 60 degrees
selected block angle from 60 degrees,
normally employed, which also favorably affects the cam
S equals length of stroke, and
shaft drive life.
L equals length of connecting rod.
Although the invention has been described with re
spect to a V-six engine having a selected V-angle greater 40
3. A V-six engine including a crankshaft and two banks
than 60 degrees, it is obvious that the invention is also
of three cylinders each having their center lines disposed
applicable to V-six engines having a selected V-angle of
in parallel offset relationship with respect to lines defining
a selected V-angle of greater than 60 degrees intersect
ing the longitudinal center line of the crankshaft of said
alpha
45 engine, the said crankshaft including three pairs of adja
(L plus 1/2S) sin. 2
cent crank pins arranged in 120 degree relationship,
pistons each having a wrist pin reciprocatingly mounted in
would be an inwardly rather than an outwardly offset
said cylinders, and connecting rods connecting the wrist
from lines defining the selected V-angle less than 60
pins of said pistons and crank pins of said crankshaft, the
degrees. It is to be understood that, although the inven 50 crank pins of each pair of crank pins being disposed in an
tion has been described with reference to a particular
off-angle crank relationship equal to 60 degrees minus
embodiment thereof, it is contemplated that changes and
two times alpha, and the said cylinder being offset out
less than 60 degrees, in which event the offset
variations thereof may be made within the scope of the
wardly a distance equal to
invention as defined by the appended claims.
I claim:
55
(L plus 1/2S) sin. alpha
1. A V-six engine including an engine block having
2
cylinder bores therein forming two banks of three cyl
wherein
inders each arranged in V-relationship, a piston in each
cylinder bore, a crankshaft including three pairs of crank
pins arranged in 120 degree relationship, and connecting
rods connecting said pistons to said crank pins with each
of a pair of generally laterally opposite pistons connected
through a pair of connecting rods to each of a pair of
crank pins, the said engine having a selected V-angle be
tween the center lines of the bores of the two cylinder
banks of greater than 60 degrees, the center lines of the
said cylinder berm of the two cylinder banks being dis
posed parallel to and offset outwardly from lines defining
Selected block angle equals 60 degrees plus alpha,
60 Alpha equals the number of degrees of deviation of the
selected block angle from 60 degrees,
S equals length of stroke, and
L equals length of connecting rod.
4. A V-six engine including a crankshaft and two
banks of three cylinders each having their center lines
disposed in parallel offset relationship with respect to
lines defining a selected V-angle of less than 60 degrees
the said selected V-angle intersecting the longitudinal
center line of the crankshaft, the said cylinder bore offset 70 intersecting the longitudinal center line of the crankshaft
of said engine, the said crankshaft including three pairs of
being equal to
(L plus l/zs) sin. w
adjacent crank pins arranged in 120 degree relationship,
pistons each having a wrist pin reciprocatingly mounted
in said cylinders, and connecting rods connecting the
wrístvpins o_f said pistons and crank pins of ysaid crank
the crank pins of `each pair of crank pins being disposed 75 shaft, the crank pins of each pair of crank pins being
2,957,455
5
i
disposed in an off-angle crank relationship equal to 60
degrees plus two times alpha, and the said cylinder bore
being offset inwardly a distance equal to
and intersecting the longitudinal center line of the crank
shaft, the said cylinder bore offset being equal to
l h
.
(L plus 1/2'5') Sm'
a p a
2
(L plus 1/2S) sin. alp2ha
5
the said crankshaft having one crank pin of each pair
of crank pins spaced 120 degrees apart and the other
crank pin of each pair disposed in olf-angle crank rela
wherein
Selected block angle equals 60 degrees minus alpha,
tionship from the adjacent said one crank pin equal to
10 60 degrees minus two times alpha, wherein
Alpha equals the number of degrees of deviation of the
Selected blo k an l f
60 d
S equallS lengtlî of stgrâkäoáîd
egrees
’
L equals length of conne’cting mi
Selected block angle equals 60 degrees plus alpha
Alpha equals the number of degrees of deviation :of the
selected block angle from 60 degrees,
S equals length of stroke, and
5. A V-six engine including an engine block having l5 L equals length 0f Connectlllg I‘Od»
cylinder bores therein forming two banks of three cylin
ders each arrange in V-relationship, a piston in each
References Cited m the me of thls Patent
cylinder bore, a crank shaft including three pairs of crank
UNITED STATES PATENTS
T5225@ m 1_20 ‘legree relationship’ an@ °°Í_me°tmg 2 Re. 15,019
Landgraf ______________ -_ Jan. 4, 1921
ctmg said pistons to said crank pins with each
l 322 579
Kenen ____ __, ________ ___ Nov_ 25 1919
of a pair of generally opposite pistons connected through
l’722’950
Barkelj _
a pair of connecting rods to a pair of crank pins, the
’
'
said engine having a selected V-angle between the center
line of the bores of the two cylinder banks greater than 25
60 degrees, the center lines of the said cylinder bores
of the two cylinder banks being disposed parallel to and
oíïset outwardly from lines deñning the selected V-angle
"""""""""" _'
July 30’ l929
'
FOREIGN PATENTS
22,76()
154,824
Great Britain ,__v________ __ Oct. 5, 1912
Great Britain __________ .__ Dec. 9, 1920
20,645
France ______________ _.- July 13, 1918
(First add. to No. 481,076)