Patents by Inventor Dirk Kirby

Dirk Kirby has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Valve lever assembly having a switchable valve actuating mechanism
    Patent number: 8033260
    Abstract: A valve lever assembly having a switchable valve actuating mechanism comprises a first follower surface for following a first cam, at least one second follower surface for following a second cam and a valve lever, which is supported on an engine-affixed component and on the to-be-actuated valve, wherein the second follower surface is rotatable relative to the first follower surface by a lockable eccentric device borne on the valve lever and the eccentric device comprises an eccentric opening, which penetrates transversely through the valve lever and is fixed relative to the valve lever to as to rotate therewith, and an eccentric shaft rotatably borne in the eccentric opening, the eccentric shaft defining the position of the second follower surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: META Motoren- und Energie- Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Reinecke-Murmann, Rüdiger Erz, Dirk Kirby
  • Valve Lever Assembly Having A Switchable Valve Actuating Mechanism
    Publication number: 20090199800
    Abstract: A valve lever assembly having a switchable valve actuating mechanism comprises a first follower surface for following a first cam, at least one second follower surface for following a second cam and a valve lever, which is supported on an engine-affixed component and on the to-be-actuated valve, wherein the second follower surface is rotatable relative to the first follower surface by a lockable eccentric device borne on the valve lever and the eccentric device comprises an eccentric opening, which penetrates transversely through the valve lever and is fixed relative to the valve lever to as to rotate therewith, and an eccentric shaft rotatably borne in the eccentric opening, the eccentric shaft defining the position of the second follower surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2009
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Joachim REINICKE-MURMANN, Rudiger ERZ, Dirk KIRBY