Valve Timing Altering Means (e.g., Axially Sliding Cam Shaft) Patents (Class 123/321)
  • Patent number: 10526935
    Abstract: An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly operable in a combustion engine mode and an engine braking mode can include a rocker shaft and a rocker arm. The rocker shaft can define a pressurized oil supply conduit. The rocker arm can receive the rocker shaft and is configured to rotate around the rocker shaft. The rocker arm can have an oil supply passage defined therein. A valve bridge can engage a first exhaust valve and a second exhaust valve. A hydraulic lash adjuster assembly can include first and second plunger bodies, the first plunger body can engage the valve bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Majo Cecur, Marco Alessandria, Nicola Andrisani
  • Patent number: 10436079
    Abstract: A variable valve drive for a lifting valve, such as a charge-exchange valve of an internal combustion engine, that is periodically movable between closed and open positions indirectly by way of a cam via a rocker lever. The variable valve drive includes a switchable rocker lever arrangement for the actuation of the lifting valve, having a transmission rocker lever and a valve rocker lever which are mounted pivotably on different rocker lever axles parallel to the camshaft axis. The valve rocker lever, is in operative contact with the lifting valve at a first end, and has a roller, at a second end. The transmission rocker lever, is in engagement with a cam of the camshaft and, is operatively connected to the roller of the valve rocker lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventor: Hai-Son Pham
  • Patent number: 10393626
    Abstract: An engine brake test tool includes a fitting configured to be secured within a valve opening in an engine brake system, wherein the fitting includes a first opening configured to be placed into fluid communication with a pressurized fluid source and a second opening configured to be placed into fluid communication with an oil outlet line leading to a slave piston of an engine brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventor: George Quarteng-Mensah
  • Patent number: 10352208
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly for an engine is configured to fit about a pivot shaft that extends along a central axis. The assembly includes an intermediate shaft configured to be rotatably disposed about the pivot shaft. A cam-side arm is pivotable about the central axis and is configured to be driven by a cam. A valve-side arm is pivotable about the central axis and relative to the cam-side arm, and is configured to convert rotation of the rocker arm assembly about the central axis into operation of an engine valve. An annular compressible fluid chamber is disposed between the intermediate shaft and the valve-side arm. When the cam-side arm and the intermediate shaft are engaged, pivoting of the cam-side arm compresses fluid within the chamber, causing corresponding pivoting of the valve-side arm and operation of the valve. The fluid provides hydraulic lash adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Jeffrey Shewell
  • Patent number: 10344683
    Abstract: Disclosed is a combustion engine and method for engine braking therein including an intake air channel having a first pressure, a first inlet valve between the intake air channel and the cylinder volume, an exhaust air channel having a second pressure, a first outlet valve between the cylinder volume and the exhaust air channel, and a storage reservoir having a third pressure higher than the first and second pressures, the storage reservoir being arranged in controllable fluid communication with the cylinder volume. The method takes place during two-stroke cycle and includes: displacing the piston from upper dead center (UDC) towards lower dead center (LDC), keeping the first inlet valve open during at least part of the travel from UDC to LDC, displacing the piston from LDC towards UDC, and keeping the fluid communication between the storage reservoir and cylinder volume open during at least a part of such travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: FREEVALVE AB
    Inventors: Anders Hoglund, Urban Carlson
  • Patent number: 10329972
    Abstract: A single valve compression release bridge brake is provided. The single valve compression release bridge brake includes a braking piston (160) integrated into an inner end of a valve bridge (400) which is located under a rocker arm (210) of an engine. The braking piston (160) is slidably disposed in a braking piston bore (190) opened downwards from the inner end of the valve bridge (400). The lower end of the braking piston (160) is connected to the inner exhaust valve (3001). Oil is supplied to the braking piston bore (190) in the valve bridge (400). The inner end of the valve bridge (400) above the braking piston (160) is pushed upwards against the rocker arm (210) by oil pressure, and a hydraulic linkage is formed between the braking piston (160) and the valve bridge (400).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2019
    Assignee: Shanghai Universoon Auto Parts Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Xi, Zheng Xi
  • Patent number: 10260386
    Abstract: An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly operable in a combustion engine mode and an engine braking mode includes: a rocker shaft defining a pressurized oil supply conduit; a rocker arm that receives the rocker shaft and rotates around the rocker shaft, the rocker arm having an oil supply passage therein; a valve bridge that engages a first exhaust valve at a first foot and a second exhaust valve at a second foot; and a capsule assembly disposed on the rocker arm having a capsule body that moves between first and second capsule positions, wherein, in the first capsule position, the capsule body is in a retracted position in the rocker arm offset from the valve bridge, wherein, in the second capsule position, the capsule body extends rigidly for cooperative engagement with the valve bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Nicola Andrisani, Alessio Courtial
  • Patent number: 10253658
    Abstract: An overhead valve actuation mechanism for an engine includes a cylinder head, a camshaft that is rotatably supported by the cylinder head, includes one or a plurality of valve cams, and operates opening and closing of an air intake side or air exhaust side valve via the valve cam, a rocker arm that is swung by the valve cam of the camshaft and acts on the valve to open and close the valve, and a rocker arm shaft that is supported by the cylinder head and swingably supports the rocker arm. The rocker arm shaft includes a supporting portion supporting the rocker arm and a fixed shaft portion supported by the cylinder head. The supporting portion is formed such that a rotation axis of the rocker arm parallelly and slightly separates with respect to a center axis line of the fixed shaft portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi Tanaka, Kunio Arase
  • Patent number: 10167750
    Abstract: A variable valve duration apparatus may include a first cam rotating with a camshaft; a second cam rotating with the camshaft; a first operation device that is operated by the first cam to generate a valve lift; a second operation device that is operated by the second cam to generate the valve lift; and a controller controlling the first operation device or the second operation device to generate the valve lift according to an operation state of an engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2019
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Donghoon Seok, Jaechun Kim
  • Patent number: 10145322
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving the detection and mitigation of high speed pre-ignition. In one example, high speed pre-ignition is detected based on concurrent or sequential changes in an integrated knock sensor output in a knock window as well as a pre-ignition window. The high speed pre-ignition is addressed using cylinder fuel deactivation and/or engine load limiting to reduce the risk for run-away pre-ignition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, James Matthew Kindree, Lee Benjamin McQuinn
  • Patent number: 10094250
    Abstract: A valve bridge is disclosed for use with an internal combustion engine. The valve bridge may include a body with a central cavity formed in a center portion of the body for receiving a hydraulic lash adjuster, and opposing first and second lateral extensions on opposite sides of the central cavity. The valve bridge may further include a first bore in the first extension for receiving a first valve stem, and a second bore in the second extension for receiving a second valve stem. The valve bridge may also include a first internal groove in a wall of the central cavity configured to receive fluid, as well as a first internal passage in the body that extends from the first internal groove toward the first bore. In addition, the first internal passage may extend from a higher gravitational point within the body to a lower gravitational point within the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Progress Rail Locomotive Inc.
    Inventors: Adarsh Gopinathan Nair, Laura E. Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 10082051
    Abstract: A rocker arm includes a pivot portion that is journaled by a rocker arm shaft, a contact portion that projects from the pivot portion to a side of a valve cam, and a pressing portion that projects from the pivot portion to a side of a valve. While including a slipper projecting from the pivot portion in outer side in an axial direction to a side of a camshaft, an overhead valve actuation mechanism for the engine includes a stopper portion with which the slipper comes in contact when the rocker arm swings and reaches a predetermined position at a position opposing the slipper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: SUZUKI MOTOR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Koichi Tanaka, Kunio Arase
  • Patent number: 10024247
    Abstract: A valve train assembly is provided, comprising an exhaust camshaft having an exhaust lobe and a brake lobe, an exhaust lever mounted adjacent the exhaust lobe, a brake lever mounted adjacent the brake lobe, wherein the exhaust lever is coupled to the brake lever to provide simultaneous movement of the exhaust lever and the brake lever in response to the exhaust lobe and independent movement of the brake lever in response to the brake lobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Darren Ting, David M. Barnes
  • Patent number: 9920664
    Abstract: An actuator for an electrohydraulic gas exchange valve train of a combustion engine is provided. The actuator has an actuator housing which can be mounted on the combustion engine with a borehole, a hydraulic piston, which is mounted therein such that it can carry out a reciprocating movement, for actuating the gas exchange valve and an axial stop which, when the actuator housing is in the unmounted state relative to the combustion engine, limits the piston stroke out of the borehole to a mounting stroke (T). This mounting stroke is smaller than a maximum operating stroke (L) with which the hydraulic piston actuates the gas exchange valve, the piston stroke being only temporarily limited to the mounting stroke by the axial stop and no longer being limited to the mounting stroke once the actuator is in operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Calin Petru Itoafa, Sandra Schafer, Thomas Kremer
  • Patent number: 9732643
    Abstract: An engine valve actuation mechanism for producing a variable engine valve event includes a cam, a rocker arm, a rocker arm shaft, an eccentric rocker arm bushing, and a bushing actuation device. The eccentric rocker arm bushing is disposed in an axial hole in the rocker arm, the rocker arm shaft being disposed in the eccentric rocker arm bushing with the rocker arm shaft and the eccentric rocker arm bushing having offset axial centerlines. One end of the rocker arm and the cam is connected to form a kinematic pair and the other end of the rocker arm is located above the engine valve with a gap between the cam and the engine valve. The bushing actuation device is placed in the rocker arm and drives the eccentric rocker arm bushing to rotate, and the rotation of the eccentric rocker arm bushing changes the gap to generate the variable engine valve event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Shanghai Universoon Autoparts Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhou Yang
  • Patent number: 9732682
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for operating an internal combustion engine in a two-stroke mode or a four-stroke mode to achieve greater fuel efficiency and minimize emissions. The system comprises a mode-adaptable valve; a valve rocker arm to actuate opening and closing of the mode adaptable valve; a cam follower of a first cam for carrying out a two-stroke mode; a cam follower of a second cam for carrying out a four-stroke mode; and a pin to mechanically couple the valve rocker arm to the cam follower of the first cam or the cam follower of the second cam. Coupling the valve rocker arm to the cam follower of the first cam enables a two-stroke mode and coupling the valve rocker arm to the cam follower of the second cam enables a four-stroke mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Torsten Tietze, Christian Winge Vigild, Andreas Kuske, Wilbert Hemink
  • Patent number: 9732642
    Abstract: An apparatus for resetting an engine brake to be able to exhibit a braking force by opening an exhaust valve at the close of a compression stroke of an engine to prevent combustion includes a housing configured to introduced with pressurized oil from the engine brake and to discharge the oil to the outside depending on an operation of a rocker arm of the engine brake, a check plate configured to be elastically supported within an inside of the housing to control oil introduced into the housing, a piston configured to be accommodated in the check plate and slid when the inside of the housing is filled with oil to discharge the oil, and a reset pin configured to be elevatably installed at one side of the housing to form a passage through which the oil is discharged from the housing to the outside.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA MOTORS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gi-Ra Lee, Jung-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 9708970
    Abstract: A turbocharger for an engine includes a compressor impeller, a turbine wheel, a turbine housing, a cover, and a flow passage switching valve. The impeller is for compression of intake air. The wheel drives the impeller. The housing includes first and second exhaust scrolls independently of each other, and a flow passage switching hole. The first and second exhaust scrolls swirl exhaust gas which is discharged from the engine and blow the swirled exhaust gas toward the wheel. The hole guides exhaust gas into the second exhaust scroll. The cover is provided separately from the housing. The valve opens or closes the hole, and includes a movable part having a rotatable shaft and a valving element. The movable part is attached to the cover. The cover is press-fitted to the housing, so that the valve is attached to the turbocharger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Etsugo Yanagida
  • Patent number: 9702304
    Abstract: A system for providing deceleration in a hybrid vehicle having a hydraulic braking system and a regenerative braking system. The system includes a hydraulic braking sensor configured to determine a status of the hydraulic braking system. The system also includes a brake pedal unit configured to determine brake pedal data. The system also includes a battery configured to store energy generated by the regenerative braking system. The system also includes a processor configured to determine whether the hydraulic braking system is compromised. The processor is also configured to detect an emergency braking situation based on the brake pedal data. The processor is also configured to increase engine speed of the engine to induce engine braking, and increase the maximum charge limit of the battery to increase a regenerative braking capacity of the regenerative braking system when the hydraulic braking system is compromised and the emergency braking situation is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey D. Gaither, Mohammad E. Dufford
  • Patent number: 9702276
    Abstract: Systems for actuating at least two engine valves comprise a valve bridge operatively connected to the at least two engine valves and having a hydraulically-actuated lost motion component. The lost motion component comprises a lost motion check valve disposed therein. A rocker arm has a motion receiving end configured to receive valve actuation motions from a valve actuation motion source and a motion imparting end for conveying the valve actuation motions and hydraulic fluid to the lost motion component. The rocker arm is in fluid communication with a hydraulic fluid supply. The systems also comprise an accumulator in fluid communication with the hydraulic fluid supply and disposed upstream of the lost motion check valve. In all embodiments, a fluid supply check valve may be disposed upstream of the accumulator and configured to prevent flow of hydraulic fluid from the accumulator back to the hydraulic fluid supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Baltrucki, G. Michael Gron, Biao Lu
  • Patent number: 9650921
    Abstract: A method for adding fluid to an hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) comprises the steps of placing the HLA in to a centrifuge, the centrifuge having a fluid container, placing a sufficient amount of a first fluid in the fluid container to fluidly communicate with at least one fluid port of the HLA, and spinning the HLA at a first speed sufficient to move the first fluid in to at least the second of two fluid chambers in the HLA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas John Nielsen, David Gerard Genise
  • Patent number: 9512786
    Abstract: A valve actuation mechanism includes a rocker adapted for opening a cylinder valve, via an activation piston movable in a piston chamber of the rocker under action of a fluid pressure raise in the piston chamber, from a first position in which an engine operating function is deactivated to a second position, in which the engine operating function is performed, the rocker including a controlled blocking valve, wherein the control of the blocking, valve between its open state and its blocking state is performed by action of a force exerted by the fluid pressure in the piston chamber on a valve member of the blocking valve which is exposed to the fluid pressure in the piston chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Renault Trucks
    Inventor: Romain Le Forestier
  • Patent number: 9458781
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine that is capable of performing a fuel supply cut control (FC control), a performance of the FC control is suspended, in a case where, when the performance of the FC control is requested to initiate, a deviation between a solid solution of an active element in a carrier and a target solid solution is equal to or more than a predetermined upper limit value and a catalyst temperature is equal to or more than a predetermined upper limit temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 9416735
    Abstract: A diagnostic routine momentarily forces an engine to an alternative operating condition, and at the same time adjust fuelling of the engine so as to be appropriate to the alternative operating condition (31). In one embodiment substantially unchanged exhaust constituents (32) indicate correct adoption of the alternative operating condition. In another embodiment a substantial change in a calculated measure is indicative of correct adoption of the alternative condition. The invention allows better control of undesired exhaust emissions during operation of the diagnostic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Jaguar Land Rover Limited
    Inventor: Brian Varney
  • Patent number: 9410455
    Abstract: Engine valve actuation systems and methods used to decompress an engine cylinder during engine start-up, shut-down, and for bleeder braking are disclosed. An exemplary system may include a rocker arm pivotally mounted on a rocker shaft, and a structure mounted adjacent to the rocker arm in a fixed position relative to the rocker arm. A latch piston may be slidably disposed between the rocker arm and the structure. The latch piston may be selectively extended to engage both the rocker arm and structure to limit the pivotal motion of the rocker arm and maintain the engine valves in an open condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: G. Michael Gron, Jr., Justin Damien Baltrucki, Neil Fuchs, John J. Lester
  • Patent number: 9376941
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for resetting a valve lift for use in an engine brake. A brake piston (160), and a hydraulic fluid passage (214) are arranged within a rocker arm (210) or a valve bridge (400) of an engine. A resetting valve arranged between the rocker arm (210) and the valve bridge (400) is driven by a change in the distance between the rocker arm (210) and the valve bridge (400). When the valve lift of an engine exhaust valve (300) reaches a maximum, a reset fluid passage (219) is opened, the hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic fluid passage is released, the brake piston (160) is reversed by one interval, the motion transmission between a cam (230) and the engine exhaust valve (300) is partially disengaged, and the valve lift of the engine exhaust valve (300) is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: Shanghai Universoon Autoparts Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Zhou Yang
  • Patent number: 9371780
    Abstract: A four-stroke internal combustion engine having an engine brake, at least one exhaust valve per cylinder, each valve actuated by a camshaft and at least one first valve lever arrangement, and a device which advances the exhaust control, with the valve lever arrangement having an exhaust lever actuated by an exhaust cam and a brake lever actuated by a brake cam. The brake lever has a first brake lever part on the side of the camshaft and a second brake lever part on the side of the exhaust valve, with the two brake lever parts being rotatably mounted independent of each other about a lever axis and being rotationally connectable with each other in engine braking operation by a locking element which is adjustable between two positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: AVL LIST GMBH
    Inventors: Gyula Toth, Michael Gröger
  • Patent number: 9359985
    Abstract: An actuator for a valve assembly includes a body having an internal surface defining a bore therein, the internal surface including a first body shoulder at least partly facing a longitudinal direction defined along a longitudinal axis of the bore; a first armature disposed within the bore, the first armature being configured to generate a force in response to a first electromagnetic field acting thereon; a first stem operatively coupled to the first armature and a first valve of the valve assembly; a first pair of shoulders disposed on the first stem, the first pair of shoulders at least partly facing one another and defining a first stem circumferential groove therebetween; and a first valve travel spacer disposed about the first stem circumferential groove, and disposed in interference with the first body shoulder along the longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Cory Brown, Adam Stecklein, Adrienne Brasche
  • Patent number: 9353654
    Abstract: A fixed chain engine braking device includes a brake box, a driving mechanism and a braking mechanism. One upright blind hole and one horizontal blind hole are placed in the brake box, and the upright blind hole intersects the horizontal blind hole orthogonally. The driving mechanism includes a rolling ball and/or a driving piston placed in the horizontal blind hole, the braking mechanism includes a braking plunger placed in the upright blind hole. A fluid passage is placed in the brake box, and the fluid passage is communicated with the entry of the horizontal blind hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Shanghai Universoon Autoparts Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhou Yang, Enjiu Ke, Yong Xi
  • Patent number: 9291091
    Abstract: In response to activation of a compression release brake when a motor vehicle having a turbocharged internal combustion engine is operating at some elevation above sea level and a turbocharger compressor is operating in a region of an operating map which is creating boost air in an engine intake manifold which would cause the compression release brake to decelerate the vehicle more slowly at that elevation than it would at sea level for the same operating conditions of the vehicle and engine other than altitude, the compression release brake decelerates the vehicle less slowly by causing an exhaust gas recirculation system to reduce at least one of a) mass of exhaust diverted to an intake system of the engine and b) cooling of the diverted exhaust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Luis Carlos Cattani, John Zagone, Bashar Y. Melhem, Paul Gottemoller, Michael D. Bartkowicz
  • Patent number: 9291075
    Abstract: A system for diagnosing malfunctions in a variable valve actuation device is disclosed. The system has a rocker arm assembly that includes: a first arm, a second arm with the first and second arms attached at a first end, a hydraulically operated latch assembly that functions to secure the first arm to the second arm when latched. It also includes a source of pressurized fluid connected to a hydraulic valve that provided fluid high or low pressure fluid to the hydraulically-operated latch. The latch may be operated by a remote device. A control gallery connects the hydraulic valve to the latch. A pressure transducer is positioned within the gallery and is adapted to create a signal indicating the pressure in the gallery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Austin Robert Zurface, Robert Boychuk, Brian Karl VanDeusen
  • Patent number: 9200548
    Abstract: A spark-ignition supercharged internal-combustion gasoline engine is equipped with a system for variable actuation of the intake valves including a pressurized fluid chamber set between intake valve and a respective control cam, and an electrically actuated valve, the opening of which vents the pressure chamber so as to cause rapid closing of the valve, as a result of the respective elastic return means, even when the respective cam would tend to keep the valve open. The variable-valve-actuation system is used in combination with control cams of the intake valves shaped in such a way as to generate an intake valve lift profile including a boot portion with substantially constant lift. The boot portion is provided in the final part of the opening cycle of the intake valve, after bottom dead center.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2015
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Fabio Borean, Andrea Stroppiana, Sabino Luisi, Francesco Vattaneo
  • Patent number: 9133737
    Abstract: A mechanically controllable valve drive includes a gas exchange valve on which a transmission arrangement acts via a working contour. The transmission arrangement comprises a first wheel element comprising a toothing which is connected to a camshaft, and a second wheel element comprising a toothing which acts on the gas exchange valve. The transmission arrangement is mounted to move in a cylinder head via a bearing, and is operatively connected to the camshaft and to a valve stroke adjusting device comprising an adjusting shaft. The first and second wheel elements are each mounted to rotate on the adjusting shaft and to be in a geared connection with each another via their respective toothing so that a rotation of the adjusting shaft effects a phase shift between the first and second wheel elements and so that a rotary fixing generates an oscillating movement of the first and second wheel elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: KOLBENSCHMIDT PIERBURG INNOVATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Breuer, Karsten Grimm
  • Patent number: 9062574
    Abstract: A device for actuating outlet valves that are acted on via a valve bridge of a valve-controlled internal combustion engine for motor vehicles includes a first piston-cylinder unit in the force flow between a cam of a driving camshaft and one of the outlet valves. When one of the outlet valves opens under the action of exhaust-gas counterpressure, play compensation in the valve drive can be produced in order to hold the one of the outlet valves open by the first piston-cylinder unit. A second, coaxial piston-cylinder unit interacts with a positionally fixed counter bracket and controls a discharge duct out of the pressure chambers of the two piston-cylinder units. The piston of the first piston-cylinder unit is preloaded in a readjustment direction by a spring. To reliably obtain a lack of play in the valve drive in particular during engine braking operation, the readjustment spring acts, without being supported in the valve bridge, on the pistons of both piston-cylinder units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2015
    Assignee: MAN TRUCK & BUS AG
    Inventors: Robert Wiemann, Georg Maget
  • Publication number: 20150144096
    Abstract: A compression-release brake system comprises an exhaust rocker arm, an actuation piston slidable in a piston bore in the exhaust rocker arm so as to press an exhaust valve, a supply conduit formed within the exhaust rocker arm, and an exhaust valve reset device mounted to the exhaust rocker arm. The actuation piston defines an actuation piston cavity within the actuation piston bore between the piston bore and the actuation piston. The exhaust valve reset device includes a reset check valve disposed between the supply conduit and the actuation piston cavity to hydraulically lock the actuation piston cavity by closing the reset check valve when a pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the actuation piston cavity exceeds the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the supply conduit. The reset check valve is biased closed by the pressure of the hydraulic fluid within the actuation piston cavity during the brake-on mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Publication date: May 28, 2015
    Inventors: Vincent MENEELY, Robert PRICE
  • Patent number: 9043118
    Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for tuning a turbine are provided. In one embodiment, a method may include receiving at least one of a measured operating parameter or a modeled operating parameter of a turbine during operation; and tuning the turbine during operation. The turbine may be tuned during operation by applying the measured operating parameter or modeled operating parameter or parameters to at least one operational boundary model, applying the measured operating parameter or modeled operating parameter or parameters to at least one scheduling algorithm, comparing the output of the operational boundary model or models to the output of the scheduling algorithm or algorithms to determine at least one error term, and closing loop on the one error term or terms by adjusting at least one turbine control effector during operation of the turbine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Timothy Andrew Healy
  • Patent number: 9038596
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for addressing pre-ignition that may be induced in response to actions taken to mitigate a cylinder misfire. An amount of engine load limiting applied may be adjusted to reduce the likelihood pre-ignition while also addressing component over-temperature issues. By limiting an engine load while shutting off fuel in a misfiring cylinder, and while combusting a lean air-fuel mixture in the remaining cylinders, pre-ignition induced by the misfire-mitigating lean combustion conditions can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Chris Paul Glugla, Paul Charles Mingo, Robert Sarow Baskins, Sue Kay Wagers
  • Publication number: 20150122220
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster for an engine valve train has a hydraulic lash adjusting arrangement for automatically compensating for lash in an engine valve train, and a lost motion arrangement for inhibiting motion induced in the valve train in response to a lift profile of a rotating cam from being transferred to an engine valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventor: Majo Cecur
  • Patent number: 9010302
    Abstract: In a direct injection gasoline engine, at acceleration operation, an amount of internal EGR is increased by advancing exhaust valve closing timing, and also fuel injection pressure is increased. In this case, range of increase in fuel injection pressure is determined on the basis of the exhaust valve closing timing at present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo Kumano, Yoshihiro Sukegawa, Yusuke Kihara, Takashi Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20150101567
    Abstract: An integrated engine brake assembly may include a valve that forces oil circulating through an engine to flow to an exhaust rocker arm when an engine brake lever is operated, a bridge that forms an interval with a pair of first and second exhaust valves installed on a combustion chamber, an internal oil flow path which supplies the oil flowing toward the exhaust rocker arm to the bridge through an internal space of the exhaust rocker arm, and along which the oil is supplied to the bridge and brings the bridge into contact with the pair of first and second exhaust valves under pressure, and a protrusion lifting up the exhaust rocker arm at a compression top dead center so that the pair of first and second exhaust valves are pressed and opened forcibly by the bridge, and the bridge is pressed by seesaw movement of the exhaust rocker arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicants: Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Hyungbin Park
  • Patent number: 8991359
    Abstract: An intake camshaft device 1 includes an intake camshaft, a first rolling bearing and a second rolling bearing for rotatably supporting both end parts of the intake camshaft, and a first sliding bearing and a second sliding bearing for rotatably supporting the intake camshaft between the first and second rolling bearings. The first rolling bearing is arranged in a same plane as a rotation plane of a sprocket for an intake cam. In other words, the first rolling bearing is positioned in a plane which is overlapped with a plurality of teeth of the sprocket for the intake cam, and perpendicular to a center axis. The first sliding bearing is disposed adjacent to the first rolling bearing backward in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuki Hamada, Hiroshi Ueno, Isao Usuki, Hironori Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 8950378
    Abstract: A machine includes a power source, an engine retarder associated with the power source, and a traction device receiving power from the power source and configured to propel the machine. The machine also includes a brake mechanism associated with the traction device, and a controller in communication with the engine retarder and the brake mechanism. The controller is configured to activate the engine retarder, substantially simultaneously with the brake mechanism, based on a brake pressure associated with the brake mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpiller Inc.
    Inventors: Bradford Jay Holt, Thomas Lynn Grill, Steven Kohl Anderson
  • Patent number: 8944028
    Abstract: A valve drive of an internal combustion engine, having a finger lever which acts at one end on a gas exchange valve and which is seated at the other end on a head of a housing of a support element, which housing runs in an axially movable manner in a reception bore of a cylinder head, the finger lever is acted on by a cam from the base circle from which there projects in a fixed manner an additional cam piece for generating an additional lift of the gas exchange valve, a bore extends from a bottom of the housing in the direction of the head, in the lower portion of which bore there runs a pressure piston which is axially movable relative to the housing and via the lower face of which the support element is mounted on a base of the reception bore of the cylinder head, a high-pressure chamber for hydraulic medium is formed between an upper face of the pressure piston and a ring part situated above said upper face and which is fixed with respect to the housing, and to generate the additional lift, the high-press
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Schnell, Peter Sailer, Oliver Witter
  • Patent number: 8936006
    Abstract: A system for actuating one or more engine valves for positive power operation and engine braking operation is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an exhaust valve bridge and intake valve bridge each receive valve actuations from two sets of rocker arms. Each valve bridge includes a sliding pin for actuating a single engine valve and an outer plunger disposed in the center of the valve bridge to actuate two engine valves through the bridge. The outer plunger of each valve bridge may be selectively locked to its valve bridge to provide positive power valve actuation. During engine braking, application of hydraulic pressure to the outer plungers may cause the respective valve bridges and outer plungers to unlock so that all engine braking valve actuations are provided from a rocker arm acting on one engine valve through the sliding pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin P. Groth, Brian L. Ruggiero, Shengqiang Huang, Neil E. Fuchs, John J. Lester, Steven N. Ernest, Joseph Paturzo, III
  • Patent number: 8936002
    Abstract: A cylinder head of an internal combustion engine comprises a camshaft that is mounted in the axial direction via at least one rolling bearing, wherein the at least one rolling bearing may be formed such that all occurring axial forces may be absorbed via the at least one rolling bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Flender, Michael Kreisig, Falk Schneider, Stefan Steichele
  • Patent number: 8931456
    Abstract: A method for engine braking of an engine which has at least one exhaust-gas turbocharger with an exhaust-gas turbine acted on by an exhaust-gas flow and a charge air compressor. A device for throttling exhaust-gas flow is arranged between exhaust outlet valves and the exhaust-gas turbocharger, and a bypass line conducts the exhaust-gas flow past the throttling device, the exhaust-gas flow being conducted through the at least one bypass line to a turbine wheel of the exhaust-gas turbine. An exhaust gas counter-pressure and a charge air pressure are measured. Based on the measurement, an optimum position of the throttling device to obtain a predetermined braking action is determined. The exhaust-gas counter-pressure and the charge air pressure are subsequently controlled by adjusting the throttling device corresponding to the determination of the optimum position of the throttling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Man Nutzfahrzeuge Oesterreich AG
    Inventors: Franz Rammer, Franz Leitenmayr, Gottfried Raab
  • Publication number: 20140373808
    Abstract: A valve actuation system for an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The engine has a first set of cylinders having a first set of exhaust valves and a second set of cylinders having a second set of exhaust valves. The valve actuation system for the exhaust valves includes one or more first cams having a compression-release lobe and a main exhaust lobe adapted to transfer valve actuation motion to the first set of exhaust valves, and one or more second cams having an early exhaust valve opening (EEVO) lobe and a main exhaust lobe adapted to transfer valve actuation motion to the second set of exhaust valves. The valve actuation system may provide any combination of (i) main exhaust valve actuation with or without compression release actuation with (ii) main exhaust valve actuation with or without EEVO for the two sets of cylinders.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2013
    Publication date: December 25, 2014
    Applicant: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven N. Ernest, Darius Metha
  • Patent number: 8909460
    Abstract: A multi-cylinder internal combustion engine is provided with a system for the variable actuation of the intake valves. At least one part of the engine cylinders is deactivated, cutting off fuel supply to said cylinders, under operating conditions that do not require the maximum power of the engine and in which one wants to reduce fuel consumption. The intake valves of the deactivated cylinders are kept at least partly open during at least one part of the discharge stages in the deactivated cylinders, hence, in the deactivated cylinders, part of the burnt gases generated during the operation prior to the deactivation flows into the respective intake conduits during the discharge stage of each cylinder. The intake valves are closed after the discharge stage. The intake valves of the deactivated cylinders are further kept closed during the compression and expansion stages in each deactivated cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Marco Lucatello, Fabio Borean
  • Patent number: 8909455
    Abstract: A control device for an internal combustion engine including a camshaft of the internal combustion engine; a plurality of plane cam shape portions; at least one transitional shape portion; a cam switching mechanism; a cam position sensor; and a control section. The plane cam shape portions, at the camshaft, have valve lift characteristics different from each other, have respective cam faces parallel to a rotation axis of the camshaft, and are spaced apart from each other. The transitional shape portion is between two adjacent ones of the plane cam shape portions and has a curved cam face which connects the cam faces of the two plane cam shape portions. The cam switching mechanism switches between the valve lift characteristics for an intake valve by selecting one of the plane cam shape portions via the transitional shape portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Isato Taki, Kenichi Osonoe, Yu Matsui, Toshihiko Atsumi
  • Publication number: 20140326212
    Abstract: A system for actuating one or more engine valves comprises a lost motion assembly including locking elements to selectively lock and unlock a locking mechanism disposed within a valve train such that motions may be likewise selectively applied to, or prevented from being applied to, one or more engine valves. In an embodiment, the locking elements comprise wedges having at least one wedge inclined surface defined according to a cone frustum and configured to engage an outer recess formed in a housing, the outer recess comprising an outer recess inclined surface also defined according to the cone frustum. The device may comprise a locking mechanism disposed within a housing bore in the housing and a snubber also disposed in the housing bore. Furthermore, the outer recess may be configured to permit movement of the locking element along a longitudinal axis of the housing bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Inventors: Justin BALTRUCKI, G. Michael GRON, JR., Kevin AUDIBERT, Neil FUCHS