Patents Examined by Wesley G Harris
  • Ball engine brake mechanism
    Patent number: 11022008
    Abstract: An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly operable in a combustion engine mode and an engine braking mode, the exhaust valve rocker arm assembly selectively opening first and second exhaust valves and including a rocker shaft, exhaust valve rocker arm assembly and a ball engine brake mechanism. The exhaust valve rocker arm assembly has an exhaust rocker arm that receives the rocker shaft and is configured to rotate around the rocker shaft. The ball engine brake mechanism is configured on the exhaust rocker arm and selectively actuates a valve plunger causing an exhaust valve to perform engine braking. The ball engine brake mechanism includes a capsule assembly having a capsule, a biasing member and a ball. The capsule has a cylindrical body that extends between a first end having an actuation face and a second end having a spring return face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Mark VanWingerden
  • Hydraulic lash adjuster
    Patent number: 11022009
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster includes a longitudinally extending pushrod having a proximal end and a distal end, and a cavity located at the distal end and a piston received in the cavity. The piston includes an internal reservoir and a fluid pathway to the internal reservoir. The fluid pathway includes a longitudinal passage and a radial passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Rong Qu, Charles F. Coffey
  • Engine balancer
    Patent number: 11015675
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a crankshaft having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The crankshaft defines a crank axis and is rotatable about the crank axis. The internal combustion engine also includes a camshaft that defines a camshaft axis and is rotatable about the camshaft axis. The internal combustion engine further includes a cam drive assembly that is operable to transfer rotation from the crankshaft to the camshaft, a balance mass rotatable about the crankshaft, and a balancer drive assembly operable to drive the balance mass through the cam drive assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Harley-Davidson Motor Company Group, LLC
    Inventor: Johann Voges
  • Rocker arm assembly with air venting
    Patent number: 11008901
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly having a rocker arm with a first end defining a first cavity, a second end opposite the first end, a bore positioned between the first end and the second end for pivotally mounting the rocker arm within an engine, and an oil passage extending from the bore to the cavity. A hydraulic lash adjuster is positioned within the cavity and has an oil inlet in fluid communication with the oil passage. The rocker arm has a vent passage configured to place the oil inlet in fluid communication with an area exterior to the rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Ashwin A. Hattiangadi, Charles F. Coffey
  • Control device for internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 11008985
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with: an electric supercharger including an electric compressor; an EGR introduction port formed upstream of the electric compressor; a throttle valve A arranged upstream of the EGR introduction port; and a control device. A throttle valve B other than the throttle valve A is not arranged in the intake air passage. The control device is configured, in a non-supercharging region, to execute a first air flow rate adjustment processing that adjusts an intake air flow rate by adjusting the opening degree of the throttle valve A while driving the electric supercharger to cause a pressure ratio of the electric compressor to approach 1; and a second air flow rate adjustment processing that adjusts the intake air flow rate by adjusting the opening degree of the throttle valve A while not energizing the electric supercharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shigeki Miyashita
  • Valve timing adjustment device
    Patent number: 11008903
    Abstract: A retard supply check valve is installed in a retard supply passage and is located on a side of a hydraulic oil controller where a hydraulic oil supply source is placed. The retard supply check valve enables only a flow of hydraulic oil from the hydraulic oil supply source toward a retard chamber. An advance supply check valve is installed in an advance supply passage and is located on the side of the hydraulic oil controller where the hydraulic oil supply source is placed. The advance supply check valve enables only a flow of the hydraulic oil from the hydraulic oil supply source toward an advance chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tetsuro Mitsutani
  • Control device for internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 11002197
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine includes an intake air amount controller and a variable valve controller. The intake air amount controller includes an exhaust manifold pressure calculator, an engine intake air amount calculator, a volumetric efficiency correction coefficient calculator, a cylinder intake air amount calculator, an exhaust gas flow rate calculator, and a cylinder intake air amount controller. The volumetric efficiency correction coefficient calculator calculates a volumetric efficiency correction coefficient based on a pressure ratio between an intake manifold pressure and an exhaust manifold pressure, a rotational speed of the internal combustion engine, and an actuation state of at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
    Inventor: Takuo Watanuki
  • Non-contacting actuator for rocker arm assembly latches
    Patent number: 11002156
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a valvetrain having a rocker arm assembly including a rocker arm on which a latch pin is mounted. An actuator for the latch pin, including an electromagnet, is mounted separately from the rocker arm. Therefore, the rocker arm is able to move independently from the electromagnet. The electromagnet is operative to cause the latch pin to actuate through magnetic flux following a magnetic circuit that passes through the rocker arm. Mounting the electromagnet apart from the rocker arm allows wires powering the electromagnet to be held in relatively static positions. The magnetic circuit is arranged to bring magnetic flux into the latch pin, or a co-acting part, within the volume of the rocker arm. This enables a compact design that is suitable for installation in engines where the available space under the valve cover may be very limited.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Douglas Anthony Hughes, Matthew Richard Busdiecker, Dale Arden Stretch, Mark Allan Juds
  • Camshaft phaser using both cam torque and engine oil pressure
    Patent number: 11002158
    Abstract: A variable cam timing phaser with a control valve that can selectively user either CTA mode, TA mode or both CTA and TA mode simultaneously to actuate the phaser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventor: Franklin R. Smith
  • Rocker arm for an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 11002157
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a rocker arm (16) for an internal combustion engine (12). The rocker arm (16) comprises a cavity (41) with a cavity wall (42) at least partially accommodating a lash adjustment piston (44) for hydraulic lash adjustment. The rocker arm (16) further comprises a lash stop surface (46). At least a portion of the lash adjustment piston (44) is adapted to abut the lash stop surface (46) during at least one operating condition of the rocker arm (16). The cavity (41) comprises a lash adjustment chamber (50) at least partially delimited by the lash adjustment piston (44). The rocker arm (16) further comprising a control fluid conduit (52) and a valve assembly (54) located between the lash adjustment chamber (50) and the control fluid conduit (52), as seen in an intended direction of flow from the control fluid conduit (52) to the lash adjustment chamber (50).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: VOLVO TRUCK CORPORATION
    Inventor: Per Persson
  • Method and systems for a valve bridge for an engine
    Patent number: 10968789
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for a valve bridge of an internal combustion engine. In one example, a valve bridge comprises a first arm, a longitudinally opposing second arm, and one or more interior walls forming a passage extending laterally through at least a portion of the valve bridge, the passage disposed between the first arm and second arm and forming a first main opening and an opposing, second main opening. A central support structure is disposed within the passage and is formed by the one or more interior walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: TRANSPORTATION IP HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Praveen Turuvekere Gurudatt, Sandeep Kamble, Jason Lymangrover, Sudeep Pradhan
  • Motorcycle engine
    Patent number: 10968792
    Abstract: An engine oil passage structure for an engine contributing to downsizing the engine and achieving protection of an oil passage against external forces is provided. Provided is an oil passage structure for an engine installed in a small vehicle, the engine including an engine body formed of a crankcase and a cylinder block and a cylinder head stacked inclined vehicle frontward on the crankcase, the crankcase, the cylinder block, and the cylinder head being integrally fastened. The oil passage structure includes, near a bent part formed by a case front wall of the crankcase and a cylinder front wall of the cylinder block forming a valley part by an obtuse angle, a right-left direction oil passage extending in a right-left direction along the valley part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takahiro Iwama, Dai Kataoka, Yuichi Tawarada
  • Single lobe deactivating rocker arm
    Patent number: 10968787
    Abstract: A deactivating rocker arm can include an outer arm extending between a first end and a second end. The outer arm can have a first outer side arm and a second outer side arm. The first and second outer side arms can define outer pivot axle apertures and axle slots. The inner arm can be disposed between the first and second outer side arms. The inner arm can have a first inner side arm and a second inner side arm. The first and second inner side arms can define bearing apertures. A bearing can be mounted in the bearing apertures of the inner arm and the axle slots of the outer arm. The axle slots can be configured to permit lost motion movement of the bearing. A first biasing member can be disposed on the second end of the outer arm and in biasing contact with the bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Kynan L. Church
  • Valve train for the variable actuation of an inlet valve and an outlet valve, and internal combustion engine having a valve train of this type
    Patent number: 10961878
    Abstract: A valve train for the variable actuation of an inlet valve and an outlet valve of a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine, having a first operative connection between a valve actuating device and the inlet valve and a second operative connection between the valve actuating device and the outlet valve. The first operative connection and the second operative connection are assigned an interrupting element which is set up to temporarily interrupt the operative connections. The first operative connection and the second operative connection are connected to the same interrupting element in such a way that the first operative connection and the second operative connection can be interrupted temporarily by way of the interrupting element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: MTU FRIEDRICHSHAFEN GMBH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Fimml, Jonathan Lipp
  • Bearing frame or cylinder head cover of an internal combustion engine
    Patent number: 10961875
    Abstract: A bearing frame or a cylinder head cover for an internal combustion engine may include at least one camshaft mounted in tunnel bearings in at least two bearing openings arranged along a bearing channel and completely enclosing at least one of the camshaft and a radial bearing, and at least one axial shaft bearing ring arranged on the camshaft. The axial shaft bearing ring may have a ring groove which is open towards the bearing frame or towards the cylinder head cover. At least one engagement element may be arranged on the bearing frame or on the cylinder head cover, which engagement element may engage into the ring groove and forms an axial bearing for the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventor: Antonio Menonna
  • Actuation apparatus
    Patent number: 10954826
    Abstract: An actuation apparatus for actuating a switchable valve train component of an internal combustion engine includes: a lever for contacting an actuation source and contacting the switchable valve train component; and a biasing unit. The biasing unit contacts the lever. In use, the biasing unit becomes biased by the lever when the actuation source moves the lever when the actuation source attempts to actuate the switchable valve train component, via the lever, when the switchable valve train component is in an un-activatable state. The biasing unit causes the lever to activate the switchable valve train component when the switchable valve train component is in an activatable state again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Gennaro Buonocore, Michele Angelo Cecchi
  • Internal combustion engine with a regulating device
    Patent number: 10941712
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine with a regulating device, whereby a fuel-air mixture is burned in the internal combustion engine with a combustion air ratio controllable by the regulating device, whereby the regulating device comprises an emission control loop, which is designed to control the charge-air pressure as a substitute variable for the NOx emission by the actuators influencing the charge-air pressure via a functional relationship, such that, for each target power or actual power of the internal combustion engine, a charge-air pressure target value can be set, and whereby the internal combustion engine further comprises a variable valve train, by means of which an operating characteristic of at least one inlet valve can be varied, whereby the functional relationship takes into account the influence of an adjustment of the operating characteristic of the at least one inlet valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: INNIO JENBACHER GMBH & CO OG
    Inventors: Josef Thalhauser, Nikolaus Spyra, Ettore Musu
  • Discrete variable valve lift engine systems and methods
    Patent number: 10941680
    Abstract: A method of providing a rocker arm set for a valvetrain includes providing a first rocker arm configured as a switching rocker arm for a first intake valve, and providing a second rocker arm configured as a fixed rocker arm for a second intake valve, the second rocker arm operating in a normal Otto cycle mode. The first rocker arm operates in a late intake valve closing (LIVC) mode where the first rocker arm is configured to close the first intake valve later than the second intake valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Edwin Scott Brownell, Nikhil Saggam, Susheel Dharmadhikari
  • Mechanical lash adjuster
    Patent number: 10934897
    Abstract: Provided is a mechanical lash adjuster including a plunger, a housing put into thread engagement with the plunger in an axial direction to form a thread engagement portion, the plunger engaging member fixed and retained in a circumferential direction of the thread engagement portion, and a coil spring urging the plunger in a direction opposite to a urging-force acting direction of a coil spring. A lead and flank angles of threads forming the thread engagement portion are set such that when an axial load acts on the plunger in either of a plunger extension and contraction directions, the plunger is made self-sustaining, and when the plunger swings by an amount corresponding to a backlash due to a lateral load, the plunger slides and rotates at the thread engagement portion to move in an axial-load acting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: NITTAN VALVE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Michihiro Kameda, Hiroyuki Ozawa, Masaaki Inoue
  • Valve train lever
    Patent number: 10927717
    Abstract: A valve train lever for actuating a valve of a reciprocating piston engine, in particular an internal combustion engine. The valve train lever comprises a lever arm, which is pivotally movable about a pin; a tapping element, which lies against or can be made to lie against a cam of a camshaft of the reciprocating piston engine; a coupling mechanism, by way of which the tapping element is coupled to the lever arm spring-elastically in a first state and rigidly in a second state; and an actuating element, which is connected to the lever arm and lies against or can be made to lie against a valve tappet of the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS ÖSTERREICH GESMBH
    Inventors: Gottfried Raab, Thomas Eibl, Franz Leitenmayr, Ewald Hundsberger