Patents by Inventor Robert S. McAlpine

Robert S. McAlpine 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).

  • Patent number: 7878168
    Abstract: A high performance overhead valvetrain assembly includes a hydraulic lash adjuster which is received within and supports a trunnion. The trunnion, in turn, is received within a cylindrical passageway in one end of a rocker arm. The opposite end of the rocker arm engages a valve stem. Between the trunnion and the valve stem is a roller adapted the engage a cam of a camshaft. The trunnion stabilized rocker arm permits significantly increased valve lift and improved engine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S McAlpine, Eric C. Douse
  • Publication number: 20100269773
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a camshaft rotationally supported within the engine structure and including a lobe, a first rocker arm, a valve lift mechanism, a valve, and a second rocker arm. The first rocker arm may include a first end rotationally coupled relative to the engine structure and a second end defining a cam engagement surface engaged with the lobe and a convex lift surface opposite the cam engagement surface. The valve lift mechanism may have a first end engaged with the lift surface of the first rocker arm. The second rocker arm may be supported relative to the engine structure and engaged with a second end of the valve lift mechanism and the valve to selectively open the valve based on displacement of the lift mechanism by the first rocker arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: ALAN W. HAYMAN, ERIC C. DOUSE, ROBERT S. MCALPINE
  • Publication number: 20100224155
    Abstract: A camshaft damping mechanism may include first and second housing members and a biasing member. The first housing member may be engaged with a camshaft. The second housing member may be slidably coupled to the first housing member and may abut an engine structure. The biasing member may be retained axially between the first and second housing members and may force the first housing member in an outward axial direction from the second housing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Robert Jack Gallon, Rodney E. Baker, Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. Mcalpine
  • Patent number: 7753017
    Abstract: A hydraulically lashed end pivot rocker arm assembly finds application in high performance valve trains of internal combustion engines. The rocker arm is mounted at one end upon an eccentric bearing assembly and includes a surface for engaging a valve stem at the opposite end and a roller engaged by a camshaft disposed between the ends. The eccentric bearing assembly includes a stub shaft or cylindrical body that is received within a bore in the rocker arm and an eccentric bore which receives an inner shaft which extends along the cylinder head and supports the eccentric bearings and the rocker arm assemblies. The stub shaft or cylindrical body includes an ear or lug which is engaged by a hydraulic lash adjuster disposed parallel to and offset from the vertical plane of motion of the rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric C. Douse, Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20090211552
    Abstract: A dry sump oil tank assembly for a vehicle is provided with a housing defining an internal cavity. The housing is configured with a laterally-extending portion to add lateral volume to the internal cavity and has at least one internal baffle attached to the housing within the internal cavity below the laterally-extending portion and configured to reduce sloshing of oil within the cavity. The dry sump oil tank assembly is particularly useful for high performance applications, such as racing vehicles, and may utilize components from standard vehicle applications, thus maximizing the economies of scale of producing such components and being suited for a vehicle that may be typically used in standard driving conditions, but occasionally subjected to high performance use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2008
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Gregory P. Prior, Akram R. Zahdeh, Robert S. McAlpine, Bryce E. Mazzola
  • Publication number: 20090159028
    Abstract: A hydraulically lashed end pivot rocker arm assembly finds application in high performance valve trains of internal combustion engines. The rocker arm is mounted at one end upon an eccentric bearing assembly and includes a surface for engaging a valve stem at the opposite end and a roller engaged by a camshaft disposed between the ends. The eccentric bearing assembly includes a stub shaft or cylindrical body that is received within a bore in the rocker arm and an eccentric bore which receives an inner shaft which extends along the cylinder head and supports the eccentric bearings and the rocker arm assemblies. The stub shaft or cylindrical body includes an ear or lug which is engaged by a hydraulic lash adjuster disposed parallel to and offset from the vertical plane of motion of the rocker arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Eric C. Douse, Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine
  • Publication number: 20080196683
    Abstract: A high performance overhead valvetrain assembly includes a hydraulic lash adjuster which is received within and supports a trunnion. The trunnion, in turn, is received within a cylindrical passageway in one end of a rocker arm. The opposite end of the rocker arm engages a valve stem. Between the trunnion and the valve stem is a roller adapted the engage a cam of a camshaft. The trunnion stabilized rocker arm permits significantly increased valve lift and improved engine performance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Alan W. Hayman, Robert S. McAlpine, Eric C. Douse