Patents by Inventor Rudiger ERZ

Rudiger ERZ 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: 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
  • Patent number: 7963260
    Abstract: A valve actuation device may comprise a camshaft including first and second cams, the second cam having a larger lobe than the first cam. A valve lever includes a first follower component or surface adapted to follow the first cam and a second follower component or surface adapted to follow the second cam. The second follower component or surface may be mounted on or defined by an eccentrically-disposed device, which is rotatable relative to the first follower component or surface. When the rotatability of the second follower component or surface is locked by a latching device, the second follower surface translates the contour of the second cam into actuation of an engine valve and, when the second follower component or surface is freely rotatable, the first follower surface translates the contour of the first cam into actuation of the engine valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Meta Motoren- und Energie-Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kreuter, Rüdiger Erz
  • Publication number: 20100162979
    Abstract: A valve actuation device may comprise a camshaft including first and second cams, the second cam having a larger lobe than the first cam. A valve lever includes a first follower component or surface adapted to follow the first cam and a second follower component or surface adapted to follow the second cam. The second follower component or surface may be mounted on or defined by an eccentrically-disposed device, which is rotatable relative to the first follower component or surface. When the rotatability of the second follower component or surface is locked by a latching device, the second follower surface translates the contour of the second cam into actuation of an engine valve and, when the second follower component or surface is freely rotatable, the first follower surface translates the contour of the first cam into actuation of the engine valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2006
    Publication date: July 1, 2010
    Inventors: Peter Kreuter, Rüdiger Erz
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6814039
    Abstract: Valve actuating devices may include a pivot lever (8) having an abutment element (21) displaced from a bearing pin (6). The pivot lever is pivotable by a reciprocating push rod (54). An intermediate lever (26) is pivotably disposed on the pivot lever. A valve lever (40) is pivotably disposed in the intermediate lever and has an abutment surface (44) for contacting the abutment element. A locking device (14, 16) is capable of fixedly coupling the intermediate lever to one of the pivot lever or the valve lever. When the intermediate lever is fixedly coupled to the pivot lever or the valve lever, the valve is actuated according to a first valve stroke function. When the intermediate lever is pivotable relative to the pivot lever and the valve lever, the valve is actuated according to a second valve stroke function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2004
    Assignee: Meta Motoren-Und Energie-Technik GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Kreuter, Joachim Reinicke-Murmann, Rüdiger Erz, Marcel Franssen
  • Publication number: 20040177820
    Abstract: Valve actuating devices may include a pivot lever (8) having an abutment element (21) displaced from a bearing pin (6). The pivot lever is pivotable by a reciprocating push rod (54). An intermediate lever (26) is pivotably disposed on the pivot lever. A valve lever (40) is pivotably disposed in the intermediate lever and has an abutment surface (44) for contacting the abutment element. A locking device (14, 16) is capable of fixedly coupling the intermediate lever to one of the pivot lever or the valve lever. When the intermediate lever is fixedly coupled to the pivot lever or the valve lever, the valve is actuated according to a first valve stroke function. When the intermediate lever is pivotable relative to the pivot lever and the valve lever, the valve is actuated according to a second valve stroke function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventors: Peter Kreuter, Joachim Reinicke-Murmann, Rudiger Erz, Marcel Franssen