Patents Examined by Daniel Bernstein
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Patent number: 9518484Abstract: A variable displacement pump includes an urging mechanism to urge a cam ring in an eccentric direction and to increase the urging force when an eccentricity is decreased, a first control chamber to apply a force to the cam ring in a direction decreasing the eccentricity, and a second control chamber to apply a force, to the cam ring, in a direction increasing the eccentricity. The variable displacement pump further includes a thermosensitive mechanism to control the supply and drain of a discharge pressure supplied into the second control chamber, and a control valve to be operated by the discharge pressure and to decrease the pressure in the second control chamber when the discharge pressure increases.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.Inventors: Yasushi Watanabe, Hideaki Ohnishi
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Patent number: 9488074Abstract: A desmodromic valve system which provides direct bidirectional displacement of a valve stem of an internal combustion engine without the aid of a rocker arm, utilizing a semirigid basket operating in conjunction with a plurality of cams for each valve. The basket is disposed about the camshaft of the engine and secured to the valve stem by an integral retainer on a bottom portion of the basket, and is constrained to motion along the valve stem axis. The basket has a pair of downwardly oriented cam followers in the upper portion thereof, spaced apart from the valve stem axis. A central cam and a parallel pair of side cams are fixedly mounted on the camshaft so as to rotate therewith, the cams substantially surrounded by the basket and cooperating therewith to provide reciprocating valve action with positive bidirectional drive.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2014Date of Patent: November 8, 2016Inventor: James T. Dougherty
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Patent number: 9476329Abstract: A camshaft phaser includes an input member; an output member defining a phasing advance chamber and a phasing retard chamber with the input member; and a rotary valve spool coaxially disposed within the output member such that the rotary valve spool is rotatable relative to the output member and the input member, the valve spool defining a rotary valve spool advance chamber and a rotary valve spool retard chamber. Oil supplied to the rotary valve spool advance chamber causes the rotary valve spool to rotate relative to the output member and relative to the input member in a retard direction and oil supplied to the rotary valve spool retard chamber causes the rotary valve spool to rotate relative to the output member and relative to the input member in an advance direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2014Date of Patent: October 25, 2016Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Thomas H. Fischer, Karl J. Haltiner, Jr.
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Patent number: 9464542Abstract: A variable valve timing apparatus includes: a variable valve timing mechanism; an intermediate locking mechanism that locks the valve timing at an intermediate timing; and a hydraulic pressure supply device that hydraulically actuates these mechanisms. The hydraulic pressure supply device uses a single oil control valve to control a state where lubricating oil is supplied to or drained from each of an advance chamber, a retard chamber and an intermediate chamber of an intermediate locking mechanism. The oil control valve has first to fourth modes. The oil control valve advances the valve timing and actuates the intermediate locking mechanism in a projecting direction in the third mode, and, under a situation that the amount of lubricating oil supplied to the variable valve timing mechanism is smaller than that in the third mode, advances the valve timing and actuates the intermediate locking mechanism in a release direction in the fourth mode.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2010Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Masaki Numakura, Yuu Yokoyama, Yoshiro Kamo
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Patent number: 9441506Abstract: Provided is a camshaft phaser (1) having a driving member (2), a driven member (3), and a spring (4). The spring (4) is axially preloaded in the spring cavity (5).Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2011Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Josef Janitschek, Juergen Weber, Christinel-Viorel Rotaru
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Patent number: 9441509Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes a three-way, three-position solenoid valve, having an inlet communicating with a pressurized-fluid chamber and with a hydraulic actuator of an intake valve, and two outlets communicating with an actuator of another intake valve of a cylinder and the exhaust channel. The solenoid valve has a first position, in which the inlet communicates with both outlets, a second position, in which the inlet communicates only with the outlet connected to the actuator of the intake valve and a third position, in which the inlet does not communicate with any of the two outlets. During at least part of an active stroke of a tappet, the solenoid valve is kept in the third position to render the first intake valve active. During the active stroke of the tappet, the solenoid valve is never brought into the second position so that the second intake valve always remains closed.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: C.R.F. Societá Consortile per AzioniInventors: Sergio Stucchi, Raffaele Ricco, Onofrio De Michele, Marcello Gargano, Chiara Altamura, Carlo Mazzarella
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Patent number: 9429047Abstract: A computer-implemented method can include receiving a contact point path between a rocker arm pad and a valve tip. The method can include adjusting the contact point path to obtain a modified contact point path that satisfies a design objective of decreased valve tip wear or decreased valve tick. The method can include determining and outputting a custom contour for the rocker arm pad and the camshaft lobe based on the modified contact point path. The custom contoured camshaft lobe can companion with the custom contoured rocker arm pad to produce the modified contact point path for the specified design objective.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2013Date of Patent: August 30, 2016Assignee: FCA US LLCInventors: Bruce Geist, Scott K Fisher, William F Resh, Mark S Hannon, Christopher L Allmond
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Patent number: 9416691Abstract: An internal-combustion engine includes a system for variable actuation of intake valves, including a control valve for each cylinder, which controls communication of a pressurized-fluid chamber with a discharge channel. The control valve has at least three different positions, namely, a first completely open position, a second partially open position, and a third completely closed position. Electronic control means are programmed for keeping the control valve in its closed position in operating stages in which the intake valve must remain coupled to the respective cam and for bringing the control valve from its completely closed position to its partially open position or to its completely open position in operating stages in which the intake valve must be uncoupled from the respective cam, selection between the first position and said second position of the control valve being made as a function of one or more operating parameters of the engine.Type: GrantFiled: July 18, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: C.R.F. SOCIETA CONSORTILE PER AZIONIInventors: Sergio Stucchi, Raffaele Ricco, Onofrio De Michele, Marcello Gargano, Carlo Mazzarella, Chiara Altamura
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Patent number: 9404397Abstract: A vehicle system includes a position sensor, a current supply module, and a mode indicator module. The position sensor includes: an electromagnet (EM) that generates a magnetic field proximate to one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve of an engine; and a Hall-effect sensor that generates a position signal indicating a position of the one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve based on the magnetic field. The current supply module supplies current to the EM. The mode indicator module indicates whether the one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve is being actuated in a low lift mode or a high lift mode based on the position signal.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2013Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Douglas R. Verner, Sanjeev M. Naik, Donovan L. Dibble
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Patent number: 9404398Abstract: A continuously variable valve timing device is provided and includes a cam sprocket connected with a camshaft having a plurality of cams to rotate the camshaft and an electric variable valve timing mechanism connected with the cam sprocket, and driven by an electric motor. A chain cover protects the cam sprocket and a chain system from foreign substances and an electric variable valve timing mechanism cover protects the electric variable valve timing mechanism from foreign substances. A seal ring partitions an internal space between the electric variable valve timing mechanism and the electric variable valve timing mechanism cover. In addition, a pressure maintaining device is mounted within the electric variable valve timing mechanism cover to maintain pressure formed within the internal space of the electric variable valve timing mechanism cover at about atmospheric pressure.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2014Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventors: Seung Woo Lee, Hyunjin Kang, Jae-Chun Kim, Hong Kil Baek, Gang Il Kim
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Patent number: 9394809Abstract: A hydraulic valve for a cam phaser including a valve housing with a longitudinal axis and a valve piston that is axially moveable along the longitudinal axis, wherein the valve piston opens and closes a first operating connection of the valve housing and a second operating connection of the valve housing, wherein the first operating connection and the second operating connection are axially offset from one another; and a supply connection of the valve housing which is used for supplying the hydraulic valve with a hydraulic fluid fed by a feed device, wherein the hydraulic valve is configured to be flowed through by the hydraulic fluid on different paths controlled by a flow permeable channel system of the valve piston, and wherein a check valve opening and closing an inflow channel is arranged in the hydraulic valve in the inflow channel of the valve housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2015Date of Patent: July 19, 2016Assignee: Hilite Germany GmbHInventors: Erik Gruber, Michael Oppel, Juergen Goll
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Patent number: 9366159Abstract: A variable cam timing assembly (10) and method for an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle includes a cam phaser (22) connected between an inner camshaft (12a) and an outer camshaft (12b) of a concentric camshaft (12). A torsional drive mechanism (14) connects between the cam phaser (22) and the inner camshaft (12a) for transmitting rotational torque. The torsional drive mechanism (14) permits adjustment for perpendicularity and axial misalignment of the inner and outer camshafts (12a, 12b), while maintaining a torsionally stiff coupling between the cam phaser (22) and one of the inner and outer camshafts (12a, 12b) of the concentric camshaft (12). The torsional drive mechanism (14) can be formed from one of a flexible shaft coupling (40), a transversely split driven gear (140), a transversely split sprocket ring gear (240), a transverse face spline gear (340), and a pin and slot combination drive (440).Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2012Date of Patent: June 14, 2016Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.Inventors: Mark Wigsten, David C. White, James Sisson
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Patent number: 9328637Abstract: A camshaft adjuster having a pot-like stator drivable by a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine; and a rotor rotationally fixedly connected to a camshaft of the internal combustion engine; having an outer ring and an inner ring arranged concentrically with respect to the outer ring; and radially oriented webs connecting the outer ring and the inner ring to each other, which subdivide the annular space formed between the outer ring and the inner ring into working chambers, wherein the working chambers are subdivided into oppositely acting pressure chambers by stator webs connected to the stator and projecting laterally into the working chambers; and the rotor is mounted by the outer ring in the radial direction on a cylindrical wall of the pot-like stator, wherein at least one depression forming a pocket to receive hydraulic oil is provided on the radial outer side of the outer ring and/or on the radial inner side of the cylindrical wall of the pot-like stator.Type: GrantFiled: May 17, 2013Date of Patent: May 3, 2016Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Juergen Weber, Dirk Heintzen
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Patent number: 9316127Abstract: A camshaft drive includes a drive shaft having at least one cam for actuating a valve of an internal combustion engine. A shaft-in-shaft system is disposed parallel to the drive shaft and has an inner shaft and an outer shaft each having at least one cam for actuating a valve. The outer shaft is connected to an outer shaft transmission element in a manner fixed against relative rotation. A hydraulic transmission device includes a stator, a rotor, and an intermediate member. The inner shaft is coupled to the drive shaft via the hydraulic transmission device which is operatively connected to an adjusting device and to a control device for setting a desired phase angle between the inner shaft and the outer shaft. A drive element is coupled to the drive shaft. The drive element is directly coupled both to the outer shaft transmission element and to the stator.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 2014Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: VOLKSWAGEN AKTIENGESELLSCHAFTInventor: Uwe Elfers
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Patent number: 9309790Abstract: A pressure accumulator for a camshaft phaser of an internal combustion engine, including a housing that accommodates a piston and forms a cavity fillable with a hydraulic fluid. The cavity is configured as a hole and is closed by a cover on at least one side so as to be fluid-tight, whereby the cover is fastened to the housing by a flanged connection. A method for the production of a pressure accumulator for a camshaft phaser, including a pressure accumulator that forms a cavity, whereby a piston is placed into the cavity, and subsequently, a cover is put in place over the cavity—sealing it off towards the outside—in such a way that a material portion of the housing or of the cover creates such a positive connection between the cover and the housing that the cover is affixed in its position relative to the housing.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2012Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Jens Hoppe, Ali Bayrakdar, Marco Meisborn
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Patent number: 9303534Abstract: A cylinder valve system in an engine is provided. The cylinder valve system includes a first oil pressurized bore corresponding to a cylinder valve and in fluidic communication with a control valve assembly, the control valve assembly comprising at least one hydraulic valve and a second oil pressurized bore corresponding to the cylinder valve and in fluidic communication with the control valve assembly.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventor: Charles Fabros
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Patent number: 9297281Abstract: A variable cam timing apparatus (10) and method of assembly for transmitting rotational torque between a driving rotary member (15b) and a driven rotary member (15a). The flexible coupling (14) can include an axis of rotation coinciding with, and an outer peripheral edge (14a) extending at least partially around, or completely surrounding, a common rotational axis of the driving rotary member (15b) and the driven rotary member (15a). The flexible coupling (14) including a flexible body (14b) having a plurality of apertures (14c, 14d) formed therein at angularly spaced positions relative to one another for connection therethrough with respect to the driving and the driven rotary members (15b, 15a) permitting adjustment for perpendicularity and axial misalignment, while maintaining a torsionally stiff coupling between the driving and driven rotary members (15b, 15a).Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2011Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.Inventors: James Sisson, Christopher J. Pluta
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Patent number: 9297282Abstract: An engine system is provided. The engine system includes a drive component coupled to a first end of a camshaft and mechanically coupled to a crankshaft and a cam phaser coupled to a second end of the camshaft and mechanically coupled to and spaced away from the drive component, the cam phaser configured to alter the timing of the camshaft.Type: GrantFiled: May 15, 2013Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Kevin Durand Byrd, Jamie Charles Hanshaw
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Patent number: 9284861Abstract: A variable cam timing phaser (10) includes a fluid transfer assembly with at least one of a fluid transfer sleeve (72) having a plurality of pressurized fluid passages (74a, 74b, 74c, 74d), and a fluid transfer plate (60) having a plurality of pressurized fluid passages (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d). Each passage (74a, 74b, 74c, 74d) extends in fluid communication with a corresponding circumferentially spaced annular groove segment portion (74f, 74g, 74h, 74i) for selective communication with first and second vane-type hydraulic couplings (40, 50) depending on an angular orientation of the fluid transfer sleeve (72) during rotation. Each passage (62a, 62b, 62c, 62d) extending from a corresponding centrally located port (64a, 64b, 64c, 64d) in fluid communication with a radially extending passage portion (66a, 66b, 66c, 66d) and with an arcuately extending passage portion (68a, 68b, 68c, 68d).Type: GrantFiled: August 23, 2012Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: BorgWarner, Inc.Inventors: Mark Wigsten, Michael W Marsh
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Patent number: 9284862Abstract: The invention relates to a camshaft adjusting device (1) for an internal combustion engine and to a method for producing a camshaft adjusting device having a stator wheel (10) and a rotor wheel (11), wherein the rotor wheel (11) has a first body part (19) and a second body part (20), wherein a joining surface (19a) of the first body part (19) and a joining surface (20a) of the second body part (20) are joined to one another, and wherein depressions (21, 22) are formed in at least one of the joining surfaces (19a, 20a) in order to form the fluid ducts (17, 18) at least in sections.Type: GrantFiled: May 1, 2014Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals Holding GmbHInventor: Sascha Frey