Cam-to-valve Relationship Patents (Class 123/90.16)
  • Patent number: 11143059
    Abstract: A tappet assembly including an outer cup having a substantially cylindrical side wall, an annular lip portion disposed at a first end of the side wall, and an annular ledge disposed on the side wall, the annular ledge being disposed in a plane that is transverse to a longitudinal center axis of the tappet assembly. An inner cup includes an annular lip extending outwardly therefrom and a pair of shaft apertures, and is disposed in the outer cup so that the lip abuts the annular ledge of the outer cup and is non-rotatably fixed thereto by the annular lip of the outer cup which abuts the lip of the inner cup. A shaft is received in the shaft apertures, and a roller tappet is rotatably received on the shaft such that a portion of the roller tappet extends axially outwardly beyond the annular lip portion of the outer cup, and an anti-rotation feature formed in the outer cup, wherein the outer surface of the outer cup is an unground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2021
    Assignee: Koyo Bearings North America LLC
    Inventors: Scott Abrahamson, Mark Brandolin
  • Patent number: 11131222
    Abstract: A valve actuation system comprises a first motion transfer mechanism operatively connected to a first valve actuation motion source and to the at least one engine valve, a second motion transfer mechanism operatively connected to a second valve actuation motion source; and a selectable coupling mechanism between the first and second motion transfer mechanisms. The coupling mechanism is operable in a first state where first valve actuation motions are conveyed to the at least one engine valve via the first motion transfer mechanism, and a second state where second valve actuation motions are additionally conveyed to the at least one engine valve via the second motion transfer mechanism, the coupling mechanism and the first motion transfer mechanism. During a handoff between the first and second valve actuation motions or vice versa, a difference in valve actuation velocities of the first and second valve actuation motions does not exceed a threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignee: Jacobs Vehicle Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: John A. Schwoerer, Justin D. Baltrucki
  • Patent number: 11125125
    Abstract: A valvetrain includes a rocker arm assembly and a power transfer module that provides power to the rocker arm assembly. The power transfer module includes a mounting frame that positions a resilient contact to abut and slide over a corresponding contact on the rocker arm assembly thereby maintain an electrical connection to the rocker arm assembly during rocker arm assembly operation. In some embodiments the structure facilitates retention of the rocker arm assembly on a pivot. The contact on the rocker arm may be provided by a contact pin. The mounting frame may abut and/or go around a pivot for the rocker arm assembly. A contact frame on the rocker arm may hold conductors of the electrical circuit extending from the contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Jiri Cecrle, Dale Arden Stretch, Michael J. Campbell
  • Patent number: 11078810
    Abstract: A rocker arm comprises a first outer arm and a second outer arm joined by a pivot body, the first outer arm comprising an inner side, the inner side comprising a limiting surface. An actuatable latch mechanism is within the pivot body. A first inner arm and a second inner arm are joined by a latch arm. An axle joins the first inner arm and the second inner arm to pivot between the first outer arm and the second outer arm. A second axle is between the first inner arm and the second inner arm. A pin extends from the second axle towards the first outer arm, and the pin is configured to pivot towards and away from the limiting surface when the first inner arm and the second inner arm pivot between the first outer arm and the second outer arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Matthew A. Vance, Dale Arden Stretch
  • Patent number: 11066963
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes, as a lost motion spring that urges a rocker arm toward a cam, a compression coil spring supported on a cylinder head. A shaft is located on an inner side of the compression coil spring and extends along a winding axis of the compression coil spring. The internal combustion engine significantly reduces or prevents a decrease in the fuel efficiency and an increase in the size of the variable valve mechanism, while surging is unlikely to occur while running at a high speed, and it is possible to reduce the size or the weight of the rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Yasuo Okamoto
  • Patent number: 11060426
    Abstract: A switching finger follower for an engine valve train utilizes an adjustable support assembly that eliminates potential for partial engagement during operation. A lever engagement member or latch is disposed for movement on the follower body and interacts with a lever to provide a constant contact geometry. The finger follower may be configured as a lost motion device and may include a biasing assembly and a travel limiter. The latch may support the lever in at least one precise position and may support the lever in a second position for partial lost motion, or permit the lever to pivot free of the latch for complete lost motion, as in cylinder deactivation applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: JACOBS VEHICLE SYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: John Mandell, Justin D. Baltrucki, David M. Ferreira
  • Patent number: 11060427
    Abstract: A valve train arrangement including at least one exhaust valve and a reverse-spring hydraulic lash adjuster (RSHLA) is provided. The RSHLA has a predetermined closing velocity. An engine brake system is configured to engage the exhaust valve, such that: (i) upon activation of the engine brake system, the engine brake system engages the at least one exhaust valve to open the at least one exhaust valve; and (ii) upon deactivation of the engine brake system, the engine brake system disengages the at least one exhaust valve such that the at least one exhaust valve is closed. A deactivation velocity of the engine brake system is less than the predetermined closing velocity of the RSHLA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventor: Eric Berndt
  • Patent number: 11047268
    Abstract: An actuator arrangement for controlling a first latching arrangement of a first dual body rocker arm for controlling an intake valve of an internal combustion engine, and for controlling a second latching arrangement of a second dual body rocker arm for controlling an exhaust valve of the internal combustion engine, the first and second dual body rocker arms each including a first body, a second body, and the latching arrangement controllable to latch and unlatch the first body and the second body. The actuator arrangement includes: an actuation source; and an actuation transmission arrangement for transmitting movement of the actuation source to both the first latching arrangement and the second latching arrangement. In use, movement of the actuation source causes, via the actuation transmission arrangement, control of the first latching arrangement and of the second latching arrangement in common.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Majo Cecur
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11015493
    Abstract: An exhaust valve rocker arm assembly operable in a combustion engine mode and an engine braking mode includes: a rocker shaft that defines a pressurized oil supply conduit; a rocker arm that receives the rocker shaft and rotates around the rocker shaft, the rocker arm including a rocker arm oil supply passage defined in the rocker arm; a valve bridge for engaging a first exhaust valve and a second exhaust valve; a hydraulic lash adjuster assembly, disposed on the rocker arm, including a first plunger body movable between a first position and a second position; and a check valve, disposed on the rocker arm, including an actuator for selectively releasing pressure in the hydraulic lash adjuster assembly. In the engine braking mode, by rotation of the rocker arm the pressurized oil supply conduit is brought into fluid communication with the rocker arm oil supply passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Majo Cecur
  • Patent number: 11015492
    Abstract: A method of operating a rocker arm assembly in a cylinder deactivation mode according to one example of the present disclosure includes providing a two-step variable valve lift rocker arm assembly and a deactivating lash adjuster. Operation of the rocker arm assembly in cylinder deactivation mode is selected. The rocker arm assembly is operated in low-lift mode based on the selection of the cylinder deactivation mode. Subsequent to or concurrently with operating the rocker arm assembly in the low-lit mode, the deactivating lash adjuster is operated in the unlatched mode. A first amount of the total lost motion required for cylinder deactivation mode is accounted for by lost motion of the rocker arm assembly operating in the low-lift mode and a remainder amount of the total lost motion is accounted for by lost motion of the deactivating lash adjuster operating in the unlatched mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Dale Arden Stretch
  • Patent number: 11008905
    Abstract: A variable valve apparatus includes: a swing body mounted to rotate to open and close a valve; an inner body driven by a cam and mounted in the swing body so as to switch a relatively-rotatable state and a latched state with respect to the swing body; a latching pin slidably mounted in the swing body so as to switch the latched state and the relatively-rotatable state of the inner body with respect to the swing body; and a control mechanism pressing the latching pin to make the inner body be latched to the swing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignees: HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY, KIA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Myung Sik Choi, You-Seok Back
  • Patent number: 11008900
    Abstract: A valvetrain for an internal combustion engine of the type that has a combustion chamber, a moveable valve having a seat formed in the combustion chamber, and a camshaft includes a rocker arm assembly, a pivot providing a fulcrum for a rocker arm of the rocker arm assembly, and a latch assembly. An electrical device mounted to the rocker arm assembly receives power or communicates through a circuit that includes an electrical connection formed by abutment between surfaces of two distinct parts. The rocker arm assembly is operative to move one of the two abutting surfaces relative to the other in response to actuation of the cam follower. Forming an electrical connection through abutting surfaces that are free to undergo relative motion may reduce or eliminate the need to run wires to a mobile portion of the rocker arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Petr Liskar, Jiri Cecrle, Dale Arden Stretch, Michael J. Campbell, Tomas Drabek, James Edward McCarthy, Jr., Austin Robert Zurface, Robert Philip Benjey, Eric John Yankovic, Brian Karl Vandeusen, Nicholas Peter Gillette, Michael James Stanton, Thomas Michael Tembreull, Anthony Leon Spoor
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10968790
    Abstract: An actuation apparatus actuates a latching arrangement of a switchable valve train component of an internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes: a lever configured to contract an actuation source and configured to contact the latching arrangement; and a bias. The bias contacts the lever. The bias is configured such that, in use, the bias becomes biased by the lever when the actuation source moves the lever when the actuation source attempts to actuate the latching arrangement, via the lever, when the latching arrangement is non-actuatable, whereby the bias causes the lever to actuate the latching arrangement when the latching arrangement is actuatable again.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Emanuele Raimondi, Nicola Andrisani
  • Patent number: 10961876
    Abstract: A rocker arm for a valve train assembly includes: a first body; a second body mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the first body; and a latching arrangement. The latching arrangement includes a latch pin drivable in response to an external actuator from a first position in which the first body and the second body are un-latched to a second position in which the latch pin latches the first body and the second body together. The latching arrangement includes a piston member and a first biasing member. The piston member is arranged such that if the external actuator attempts to cause the latch pin to be driven from the first position to the second position at a time when the latch pin is prevented from being driven, the piston member moves to bias the biasing member so that the biasing member urges the latch pin to the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventors: Nicola Andrisani, Emanuele Raimondi, Alessio Lorenzon
  • Patent number: 10954827
    Abstract: A desmodromic valve train (20) for an engine (40), comprising a valve actuator (100) arranged to actuate a valve (400) independently of the crank angle of the engine (40), wherein the desmodromic valve train (20) comprises: a load path arrangement comprising an input arranged to receive actuating force from the valve actuator (100), an output arranged to provide the actuating force to the valve (400), and mechanical advantage means arranged such that a first displacement, of the input, causes a second displacement, of the output, wherein the second displacement is a multiple of the first displacement, the multiple being within the range 1.3 to 1.95.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: JAGUAR LAND ROVER LIMITED
    Inventors: Roger Stone, Owen Evans, David Kelly, Richard Tyrrell
  • 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
  • Patent number: 10947906
    Abstract: A method for operating an internal combustion engine, involving the following steps: determining a target lambda value and measuring an actual lambda value for combustion in a combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine; establishing, in accordance with the target lambda value and the actual lambda value, a point in time for an intake valve associated with the combustion chamber to open; and opening the intake valve at the established point in time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: MTU FRIEDRICHSHAFEN GMBH
    Inventors: Johannes Schalk, Wolfgang Fimml, Christian Frey
  • Patent number: 10947909
    Abstract: A control device of an internal combustion engine is configured to output a predicted value of an output parameter by using a learning model if actually measured values of input parameters are input, control the internal combustion engine based on the predicted value of the output parameter, learn the learning model by using a gradient method and by using a combination of actually measured values of the input parameters and an actually measured value of the output parameter as teacher data, and adjust the learning rate so that the learning is performed by a smaller learning rate when an amount of noise superposed on an actually measured value of at least one parameter among the input parameters and the output parameter is relatively large compared with when the amount of noise superposed on the actually measured value of the parameter is relatively small.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Daiki Yokoyama, Eiki Kitagawa, Tomihisa Oda
  • Patent number: 10941678
    Abstract: An adjusting device having at least one tappet assembly. The at least one tappet assembly comprises a tappet, at least one guide cylinder, and a pole core. The tappet is arranged in the guide cylinder in a movable manner along a longitudinal axis, and a non-magnetic connection socket is arranged between the guide cylinder and the pole core. The guide cylinder and the pole core are arranged at a distance to each other in the longitudinal axis by the connection socket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Kendrion (Villingen) GmbH
    Inventors: Tsuneo Suzuki, Wolfram Maiwald, Harald Burkart, Michael Tischtschenko, Andreas Kammerer
  • Patent number: 10920644
    Abstract: A system and method for thermal management of an aftertreatment component are described. The disclosed method can employ any one or combination of operating modes that obtain a target condition of the exhaust gas to support or initiate thermal management of the aftertreatment device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Shipp, Marten H. Dane
  • Patent number: 10920625
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a variable valve drive of a combustion piston engine with at least one gas exchange valve per cylinder, wherein each valve stroke is specified by a primary and secondary cam and transmitted to the gas exchange valve via a switchable cam follower that includes a primary lever and a secondary lever. The primary lever is in contact with the primary cam, and the secondary lever is in contact with the paired secondary cam and can be coupled to the primary lever by a coupling element. The coupling element includes a coupling pin, a locking pin, and an unlocking pin. Axially outer ends of the locking and unlocking pin protrude out of the secondary lever and are coupled to a shift rod via respective connection elements, the shift rod being longitudinally movable out of a rest position into a shift position by a linear actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2021
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Dimitri Schott, Harald Elendt, Eduard Golovatai-Schmidt
  • Patent number: 10895174
    Abstract: A valvetrain assembly includes: a main exhaust rocker arm assembly having a first main exhaust rocker arm and a second main exhaust rocker arm; a first latch assembly that selectively moves between a first position in which the first and second main exhaust rocker arms are locked for concurrent rotation and a second position in which one of the first and second main exhaust rocker arms rotates relative to an other of the first and second main exhaust rocker arms; a secondary exhaust rocker arm assembly having a first secondary exhaust rocker arm and a second secondary exhaust rocker arm; a second latch assembly that selectively moves between a first position in which the first and second secondary exhaust rocker arms are locked for concurrent rotation and a second position in which one of the first and second secondary exhaust rocker arms rotates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2021
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Majo Cecur
  • Patent number: 10883393
    Abstract: A turbocharged internal combustion engine is provided with at least a partially variable valve train on an intake side wherein the intake valves are controlled to optimize the actuation of a second inlet valve in relation to a first inlet valve for different load conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Martin Wirth, Klemens Grieser, Marco Marceno, Kay Hohenboeken, Jan Linsel, Harald Stoffels, Ludwig Stump
  • Patent number: 10876441
    Abstract: Provided is a tappet capable of supplying lubricating oil to a cam even when provided with a lash adjuster. A tappet (10) includes: a lash adjuster (11) having a plunger (14) and a body (13) in which the plunger (14) is housed so as to be vertically movable, wherein the plunger (14) has a top portion (16) against which a lower end portion of a push rod (88) slidably abuts; and a tappet body (12) which has an assembly hole (45) in which the body (13) is inserted, has a cup-like shape, and has a lower surface portion (27) which slidingly contacts a cam (70). The tappet body (12) has an oil guide passage (30) extending so as to guide lubricating oil from the push rod (88) side to the cam (70).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignees: OTICS CORPORATION, KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hon Chung Woon, Masayasu Takami
  • Patent number: 10876436
    Abstract: A rocker arm, comprises a first outer arm comprising a first inner side and a first outer side, the first outer side comprising a first cantilevered post. A first outer roller is mounted to the first cantilevered post. A second outer arm comprises a second inner side and a second outer side, the second inner side facing the first inner side, the second outer side comprising a second cantilevered post. A second outer roller is mounted to the second cantilevered post. A pivot body joins the first inner side to the second inner side. An actuatable latch mechanism is within the pivot body. An inner arm assembly comprises a latch arm, the latch arm pivotable adjacent the pivot body. A pivot axle joins the inner arm assembly to pivot between the first outer arm and the second outer arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Matthew A. Vance
  • Patent number: 10871088
    Abstract: A rocker arm can comprise a first outer arm and a second outer arm joined by a pivot body. An actuatable latch mechanism is within the pivot body. An inner arm assembly comprises a latch arm. A first spring prop is on the inner arm assembly distal from the latch arm. An axle joins the inner arm assembly to pivot between the first outer arm and the second outer arm. A spring is biased against the first outer arm and against the first spring prop. The first spring prop can comprise a hooked end. Or, the first spring prop can extend laterally out from the rocker arm and parallel to the axle. The spring can comprise a one-piece spring comprising first and second coil springs connected by a lateral connector. Or, two separate torsion springs can comprising tangential spring ends extending at approximately 90 degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Matthew A. Vance
  • Patent number: 10851683
    Abstract: A valve drive includes a transfer arrangement with an intermediate lever arrangement having a first roller element and an intermediate lever, and a drag lever arrangement having a drag lever. The first roller element is connected to a circumferential contour of a camshaft. The intermediate lever includes a second roller element and a working curve connected to the drag lever. A slotted guide is provided for the intermediate lever arrangement which is engaged by a guide roller element. A torsion spring element with first and second ends engages the intermediate lever arrangement. The first end rests on the cylinder housing portion. The second end acts on a counter bearing rigidly connected with the intermediate lever. The first and second roller element axes are arranged to introduce a force into the intermediate lever which presses the guide roller element against the slotted guide and the first roller element against the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: PIERBURG GMBH
    Inventors: Michael Breuer, Karsten Grimm, Stephan Schmitt, Sabine Siebrandt
  • Patent number: 10823108
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cylinder head including a first valve lifter hole, a first camshaft rotatably supported on the cylinder head, a first valve lifter inserted in the first valve lifter hole, a first valve spring that biases the first valve lifter toward the first cam of the first camshaft, and an oil supply passage having a first oil supply port formed on the inner circumferential surface of the first valve lifter hole and a first passage connected to the first oil supply port. An upper end of the first oil supply port is located upward relative to the upper surface of the first valve lifter when the first valve lifter is in the lower position. A lower end of the first oil supply port is located downward relative to the upper surface of the first valve lifter when the first valve lifter is in the upper position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Manabu Miyata
  • Patent number: 10815839
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly constructed in accordance to one example of the present disclosure includes an outer rocker arm, a first inner rocker arm, and a second inner rocker arm. The first inner rocker arm is configured to move between a latched and unlatched position relative to the outer rocker arm. The second inner rocker arm is configured to move between a latched and unlatch position relative to the outer rocker arm. The rocker arm assembly provides at least three distinct lift profiles including (i) a first lift profile when the first inner rocker arm is latched and the second inner rocker arm is unlatched, (ii) a second lift profile when the second inner rocker arm is latched and the first inner rocker arm is unlatched, and (iii) a third lift profile when both the first and second inner rocker arms are unlatched.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James E. McCarthy, Jr., Dale Arden Stretch
  • Patent number: 10815840
    Abstract: A switchable lever is provided that includes an outer lever, an inner lever pivotably mounted to the outer lever, and a coupling assembly capable of selectively locking the inner lever to the outer lever. The coupling assembly is arranged to be actuated from either a first side or a second side of the switchable lever. The coupling assembly can have one or more push pins and a coupling pin that is arranged to be actuated by the one or more push pins. An actuated end of the coupling pin can be formed with a receiving land that is configured to engage a cam form on a second end of the one or more push pins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Colin Foster, David Chandler
  • Patent number: 10794233
    Abstract: A valve drive device, in particular for an internal combustion engine, includes a support element fixed to a housing and at least one axially shiftable cam unit allocated to a valve. The cam unit has at least three cam tracks. At least one switching unit which is a displacement body is provided to displace at least one part of the cam unit in the direction of a first actuation direction for axial shifting. The displacement body displaces at least one part of the cam unit in the direction of a second actuation direction opposing the first actuation direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Thomas Stolk, Alexander Von Gaisberg-Helfenberg
  • Patent number: 10781757
    Abstract: A variable valve drive of an internal combustion engine is provided that includes at least one gas exchange valve, the valve stroke of said gas exchange valve predefined by cams of a camshaft, and by at least one switchable rocker arm. The switchable rocker arm, having a first lever and a second lever, selectively transmits cam lift to the gas exchange valve. The second lever is selectively coupled to the first lever by a coupling. The coupling is activatable by an elongated activation arm on which one leaf spring is disposed for the coupling of the switchable rocker arm. The elongated activation arm is longitudinally displaceable from a locking position to an unlocking position by a linear actuator. A damper mass is disposed or configured to be capable of oscillating on the elongated activation arm and/or on the leaf spring of the elongated activation arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Adrian Bilan, Frank Himsel
  • Patent number: 10781726
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a cam-actuated rocker arm assembly with a solenoid-actuated latch that provides for cylinder deactivation or variable valve actuation. The solenoid has an inductance that varies significantly in relation to the position of a latch pin as it translates between latching and non-latching configurations. A sensor is positioned to monitor a current or a voltage in a circuit that includes the solenoid. Diagnostic information relating to the operation of the rocker arm assembly is determined by comparing data collected from the sensor over a first period to data collected from the sensor over a second period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: James Edward McCarthy, Jr., Mark Allan Juds, Douglas Anthony Hughes, Nicholas Peter Gillette, Matthew Richard Busdiecker
  • Patent number: 10753237
    Abstract: A switchable lever is provided that includes an outer lever, an inner lever pivotably mounted to the outer lever, and a coupling assembly that is capable of selectively locking the inner lever to the outer lever. The coupling assembly includes a coupling pin that has a first end that is configured to be received by an actuator. The coupling pin can be configured with at least one slot, which can be received by the actuator. The coupling pin is moveable from a first, locked position to a second, unlocked position, by an actuator and can be configured to be received by the actuator continuously throughout a valve lift event. The coupling pin can be configured with at least one protrusion that is arranged to be received by an actuator, or the actuator can be configured with at least one protrusion to receive the coupling pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Sumukha Nagaraj, David Chandler, Béla Hofer
  • Patent number: 10731518
    Abstract: A valvetrain for an internal combustion engine of the type that has a combustion chamber, a moveable valve having a seat formed in the combustion chamber, and a camshaft includes a rocker arm assembly, a pivot providing a fulcrum for a rocker arm of the rocker arm assembly, and a latch assembly. An electrical device mounted to the rocker arm assembly receives power or communicates through a circuit that includes an electrical connection formed by abutment between surfaces of two distinct parts. The rocker arm assembly is operative to move one of the two abutting surfaces relative to the other in response to actuation of the cam follower. Forming an electrical connection through abutting surfaces that are free to undergo relative motion may reduce or eliminate the need to run wires to a mobile portion of the rocker arm assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Petr Liskar, Jiri Cecrle, Dale Arden Stretch, Michael J. Campbell, Tomas Drabek, James Edward McCarthy, Jr., Austin Robert Zurface, Robert Philip Benjey, Eric John Yankovic, Brian Karl Vandeusen, Nicholas Peter Gillette, Michael James Stanton, Thomas Michael Tembreull, Anthony Leon Spoor
  • Patent number: 10731516
    Abstract: A valvetrain for an internal combustion engine includes a camshaft and a rocker arm assembly. The rocker arm assembly includes an electrical device, a rocker arm, and a cam follower. A contact held to the rocker arm abuts a spring attached to a component distinct from the rocker arm assembly to form an interface. The electrical device is powered through the interface. The spring slides over the contact as the rocker arm assembly pivots to actuate a moveable valve. The interface is formed near a pivot axis whereby the motion undergone by the interface is much less than the motion undergone by points on the rocker arm assembly more distal from the axis. Keeping the interface proximate the pivot axis and leaving the spring free to slide over the contact reducing the extent to which the spring undergoes movement and wear during valvetrain operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Andrew Lee, Michael J. Campbell, Austin Robert Zurface, Dale Arden Stretch
  • Patent number: 10718275
    Abstract: A miller cycle engine according to the present disclosure includes: a variable valve operating device configured to continuously change the closing timing of an intake valve; a throttle valve arranged in an intake air passage; and a control device configured to execute an early closing miller cycle operation mode to control the variable valve operating device such that the intake valve closes at an intake bottom dead center or earlier. The control device is configured to: execute a late closing mode (e.g., decompression mode) to retard the closing timing relative to the intake bottom dead center at the time of engine start-up; and execute, where the pressure in the intake air passage has decreased to a first threshold value or lower first after the engine start-up, a mode switching processing to switch from the late closing mode to the early closing miller cycle operation mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Shintaro Hotta
  • Patent number: 10704719
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydraulic and/or pneumatic multi-coupler connector of the type comprising at least one pair of couplers inserted into a containment body and equipped with a lever actuated mechanism comprising an actuation lever maneuverable by the user for the relief of the residual pressure of the couplers and the connection thereof to corresponding male couplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: FASTER S.P.A.
    Inventor: Luigi Canzi
  • Patent number: 10697378
    Abstract: A control system of a Miller cycle engine includes an ECU. The ECU executes an early closing Miller cycle operating mode in which a variable valve mechanism is controlled to close an intake valve before an intake bottom dead center. The ECU executes a decompression mode in which the variable valve mechanism is controlled to close the intake valve at a point later than the intake BDC, when the engine is started. The electronic control unit executes the early closing Miller cycle operating mode after completion of the decompression mode. A later closing amount of the intake valve relative to the intake BDC, for use in the decompression mode, is larger than an early closing amount of the intake valve relative to the intake BDC when the closing timing of the intake valve is most advanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: TOYOTA JIDOSHA KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shintaro Hotta, Shinji Sadakane, Fumio Takamiya, Akira Hojo, Kohei Umehara
  • Patent number: 10697332
    Abstract: A valve train assembly (16) includes a fuel injector (1), an intake rocker lever assembly (10), and an exhaust rocker lever assembly (14). The intake and exhaust rocker lever assemblies (10) can include an eccentric hydraulic lash adjuster (11) that is located in the nose (31) of the respective rocker lever assemblies (10). The rocker lever assemblies (10) are configured to allow a clearance area between a nose (31) of the intake rocker lever assembly (10) and the nose (31) of the exhaust rocker lever assembly (14). As such, the fuel injector (1) can be positioned in the clearance area, while still allowing the eccentric hydraulic lash adjusters to apply a load onto a corresponding valve bridge (2). For example, the eccentric hydraulic lash adjuster (11) can include an outer housing (20) and a pivot ball (21), wherein the pivot ball (21) is positioned at an offset (23) from a lateral centerline of the outer housing (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: Cummins Inc.
    Inventors: Adam C. Cecil, David M. Barnes
  • Patent number: 10683923
    Abstract: A switchable roller finger follower including an improved valve stem pallet formed by a rotatable body is disclosed. The switchable roller finger follower includes an axle extending through first aligned holes of an outer body and second aligned holes of an inner body to pivotally attach the inner body to the outer body at a valve stem end. The rotatable body is mounted on the axle and adapted to contact a valve stem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KG
    Inventors: Faheem Ahmed, Colin Foster
  • Patent number: 10683819
    Abstract: Provided is an internal combustion engine including a control device 40 configured to adjust fuel injection valves 12 and a resting mechanism 30 and thereby executing a control of switching between an all-cylinder operation Oa and a reduced-cylinder operation Or, the all-cylinder operation Oa being an operation in which a combustion cycle is always performed in all of the cylinders 11, and the reduced-cylinder operation Or being an operation in which a combustion cycle is always performed in some cylinders 11 less than a cylinder number Nc, wherein in the reduced-cylinder operation Or, all of the cylinders 11 perform a partial operation in which an operating state and a resting state thereof are repeated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: ISUZU MOTORS LIMITED
    Inventor: Hiroshi Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 10677173
    Abstract: A control system for internal combustion engines having four valves per cylinder. An inlet valve and an exhaust valve are controlled by a basic camshaft. Another inlet valve and another exhaust valve are controlled by a control camshaft. The two camshafts are connected to a crankshaft and engine torque is managed by an electronic control unit. The system comprises a motor/generator unit, connected to the control camshaft; a differential, connected to the crankshaft and to the control camshaft; a control shaft, connected to the differential; an actuator, connected to the control shaft; a one-way restrictor valve connected to a shut-off valve and to the actuator; an oil circuit, connected to the actuator by means of the shut-off valve and a control solenoid that acts on the shut-off valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Inventor: Amadeo Perez Fernandez
  • Patent number: 10677112
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is provided with a variable valve operating apparatus, for use on a saddle-type vehicle. When a switching drive shaft is longitudinally moved under hydraulic pressure switched by a solenoid valve, a cam mechanism advances and retracts a switching pin. When the switching pin is advanced to engage in a lead groove in a cam carrier, the cam carrier is axially moved while rotating, to switch cam lobes to act on an engine valve. A solenoid valve is disposed on a left or right end in the leftward and rightward directions across the vehicle width, of a front or rear surface of a cylinder head. The solenoid valve is placed in an appropriate location in the cylinder head out of interference with other parts of the engine, thereby making the vehicle small in size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Dai Kataoka, Yoshihiro Takada
  • Patent number: 10677106
    Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm with an outer follower including a first outer roller and a second outer roller both supported on an outer arm roller shaft, the outer arm roller shaft having a first portion having a first diameter which is supported in the outer arm by a first outer bearing; a second portion having a second diameter which is supported in the outer arm by a second outer bearing; and a third portion having a third diameter such that the third diameter is smaller than the first diameter and the second diameter. An inner arm selectively pivots relative to the outer arm, the inner arm having an inner follower and also having an inner arm aperture through which the outer arm roller shaft extends such that the third portion of the outer arm roller shaft is located within the inner arm aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: DELPHI TECHNOLOGIES IP LIMITED
    Inventors: Cynthia A. Tawaf, Ian R. Jermy
  • Patent number: 10669902
    Abstract: A valve drive for an internal combustion engine may include a cam shaft including at least two cams rotationally attached thereto. The valve drive may also include a cam follower including a roller bolt including a rotatable roller arranged thereon. Additionally, the valve drive may include a lever device drivingly connected to the cam follower configured to adjust the cam follower between a first position and a second position. The valve drive may further include a rotatably supported control lever drivingly connected to the cam follower configured to adjust at least one valve of an internal combustion engine. The valve drive may include an actuator drivingly connected to the lever device configured to adjust the cam follower between the first position and the second position, the actuator may be connected to the cam follower in an articulated manner via the lever device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventors: Juergen Rommel, Christoph Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 10662830
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for intermittently operating poppet valves in an internal combustion engine when desired by the selective locking or unlocking of one or more cam lobes with the camshaft. One or more cam lobes, with a small radial clearance, ride on a camshaft such that an engagement mechanism may be activated as desired to lock the cam lobe to the camshaft, thereby activating the respective poppet valve. The cam lobe is prevented from moving axially to ensure correct alignment with a follower. A suitable holding device may be used to ensure the non-activated cam lobes are restrained at a suitable orientation relative to the cam follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: Yelir, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael B. Riley