Tappet Patents (Class 123/90.48)
  • Patent number: 11761402
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an engine block, a piston, a cylinder head, and a valve train. The engine block includes a cylinder block including a cylinder bore and a crankcase defining a crankcase chamber with a crankshaft positioned within the crankcase chamber. The piston is coupled to the crankshaft and configured to reciprocate within the cylinder bore. The cylinder head is coupled to the cylinder block. The valve train includes a camshaft, a first and second pushrod, a first and second rocker arm, an exhaust valve housed, and an intake valve. The first rocker arm, the second rocker arm, the exhaust valve, and the intake valve each include at least a layer of a low friction material. The first and second pushrod each pass through a pushrod seal to prevent fluid from reaching the rocker chamber to fluidly isolate the rocker chamber from the crankcase chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Briggs & Stratton, LLC
    Inventors: Jacob Zuehl, Richard Sebzda, Vernon Moss
  • Patent number: 11668271
    Abstract: Fuel injector systems, methods, and assemblies can comprise an injector pushrod; a hold down clamp having an opening that can slidably receive the injector pushrod; a helper spring that can surround a first portion of the injector pushrod; a spacer that can surround a second portion of the injector pushrod and that can be positioned between the hold down clamp and a first end of the helper spring; and a retention seat that can retain a second end of the helper spring opposite the first end of the helper spring and that can surround a third portion of the injector pushrod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Abram M. Ingold, Vasudev Koppram, Xuefeng Song
  • Patent number: 11578717
    Abstract: A tappet, which may be a fuel pump actuator, includes a body that is a contiguous piece of case-hardened ferrous metal. The body has a cylinder-conforming bore-running surface and an anti-rotation guide feature that has been made by stamping to project outwardly from the bore-running surface. A cam follower is mounted to the body. The body has been case hardened by ferritic nitrocarburizing, but has not been distorted by heat treatment and has a malleable interior. A transverse web for the tappet may be fully hardened. Axle holes for the cam follower may be formed by stamping. The tappet is durable and provides superior alignment of the roller to a cam, which reduces friction and noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Douglas Ray Cornett, Adam Greg Paul
  • Patent number: 11300013
    Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a sliding member includes: a sliding surface against which an outer surface of a cam abuts; and a groove having a spiral shape or a plurality of grooves having an annular shape, which are provided on the sliding surface. The sliding surface includes a central region having a circular shape and including a center of the sliding surface, and a first annular region located outside the central region. A ratio RC of a width L2 of the groove to a pitch L1 of the groove in the central region is larger than a ratio RO1 of the width L2 of the groove to the pitch L1 of the groove in the first annular region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventor: Ikurou Takahashi
  • Patent number: 11193397
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a lash adjuster body for use in a lash adjuster assembly can include forming a lash adjuster body to an as-formed condition including an outer cylindrical surface, an inner cylindrical surface leading to a blind bore, an end surface and a leak down portion. The method can also include imparting a wear resistant surface layer to at least the leak down portion of the inner cylindrical surface using ferritic nitrocarburizing (FNC). The lash adjuster body is upset at the end surface thereby forming at least one overlap portion that overlaps an opening to the blind bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: John Page Chapman, Gary Lynn Janowiak, Prasanna Kumar Gudaloor
  • Patent number: 11111893
    Abstract: A tappet assembly for use in translating force between a camshaft lobe and a fuel pump assembly via reciprocal movement within a tappet cylinder having a guide slot. The tappet assembly comprises a tappet body having a shelf and defining a pair of apertures, and a follower assembly. The follower assembly has a shaft, a first bearing and a second bearing, each supported on the shaft for engaging the camshaft lobe. A beam is further supported on the shaft between the first and second bearings and has a platform for engaging the fuel pump assembly. The shaft is disposed in the pair of apertures of the tappet body and the beam is arranged in the tappet body and engaged with the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: GT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: John E. Brune, Terence William Roberts, Jr., Tyler Austin Hamm
  • Patent number: 10962099
    Abstract: A cam follower roller device having a tappet body extending along a longitudinal axis and defining a tappet bore, a pin centered on a transverse axis and providing two opposite ends arranged in through-holes transversally facing one another on tappet body, and a roller rotatably mounted on the pin around said transverse axis. The tappet body is a machined metal tube or bar and is provided with a radial plate that is securely fixed within tappet bore, said radial plate being dedicated to support a longitudinally movable piston.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Benoît Hauvespre, Laurent Jourdain, Philippe Walter
  • Patent number: 10941737
    Abstract: A follower mechanism including an outer cup having a substantially cylindrical side wall, an annular lip portion disposed at a first end of the side wall, 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 follower mechanism, and an anti-rotation device disposed on the annular ledge. An inner cup includes an annular lip extending radially-outwardly therefrom and a pair of shaft apertures, the inner cup being disposed in the outer cup so that the lip abuts the annular ledge of the outer cup as well as the anti-rotation devices so that the inner cup is non-rotatable with respect to the outer cup. A shaft is received in the shaft apertures, and a roller follower is rotatably received on the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Koyo Bearings North America LLC
    Inventor: Scott Abrahamson
  • Patent number: 10837416
    Abstract: A tappet assembly for use in translating force between a camshaft lobe and a fuel pump assembly via reciprocal movement within a tappet cylinder having a guide slot. The tappet assembly comprises a tappet body defining a pair of apertures and a pair of seats, and a follower assembly. The follower assembly has a shaft, a first bearing and a second bearing, each supported on the shaft for engaging the camshaft lobe. An intermediate element is further supported on the shaft between the first and second bearings and has a platform for engaging the fuel pump assembly. The intermediate element is at least partially disposed in the pair of seats of the tappet body and the shaft is disposed in the pair of apertures of the tappet body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: GT TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: John E. Brune, Luke Gossman, Dennis Landis
  • Patent number: 10690016
    Abstract: An engine roller lifter for use in a leak-valvetrain of an internal combustion engine includes a body, a roller and an anti-rotation plug. The body includes an outer peripheral surface configured for sliding movement in a bore provided in the engine. The bore is supplied oil by an oil passage communicating therewith. The body defines an opening. The roller bearing is rotatably mounted to the body and is configured for rolling contact with an engine camshaft. The anti-rotation plug is received at the opening and has a plug body including an anti-rotation protrusion that extends radially beyond an outer peripheral surface of the plug body. The anti-rotation plug can be staked into the opening of the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Leighton Roberts, Kevin Matson, Douglas Wright, James E. McCarthy, Jr., Matthew Vance, Otto Schultheis
  • Patent number: 10458465
    Abstract: A cam follower roller device having a tappet extending along a longitudinal axis and including a cylindrical tappet body defining a bore. The device further having a rolling assembly arranged within the bore, and including a support body with a base and flanges, a pin and a roller. Each of the flanges of the support body is provided with an outwardly protruding portion that extends transversally from the flange towards the tappet body. The tappet body includes a support diametrically opposed and having each a transverse surface that cooperates with the protruding portion of the support body to longitudinally block the support body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Samuel Viault, Charles Chambonneau, Mickael Chollet, Thomas Perrotin, Michel Rabin, Philippe Walter
  • Patent number: 10247053
    Abstract: An axleless roller valve lifter for following an eccentric cam in an internal combustion engine includes a roller wheel contained and suspended within a wheel socket without the use of a center support axle. The inner contour of the wheel socket is precision machined to receive the outer diameter of the roller wheel, with a thin film of non-compressible oil providing a barrier between the roller and the well during operation. A permanent magnet within the body of the lifter assists in retaining the wheel within the well, and a check valve within the lifter body prevents oil from backflowing out of the lifter upon impact of the roller with the cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Inventor: Joseph Schubeck
  • Patent number: 10105795
    Abstract: A braze alloy composition for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in an electrochemical cell is presented. The braze alloy composition includes copper, nickel, and an active metal element. The braze alloy includes nickel in an amount less than about 30 weight percent, and the active metal element in an amount less than about 10 weight percent. An electrochemical cell using the braze alloy for sealing a ceramic component to a metal component in the cell is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Raghavendra Rao Adharapurapu, Sundeep Kumar, Mohamed Rahmane
  • Patent number: 10100929
    Abstract: The present invention provides a piston ring having excellent abrasion resistance to an aluminum alloy cylinder or cylinder liner formed of a mating material and is therefore capable of decreasing abrasion of the mating material. An exemplary piston ring has a hard carbon coating formed on an outer peripheral surface, and the hard carbon coating contains 0.5 atom % or more to less than 5 atom % of tungsten (W).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: KABUSHIKI KAISHA RIKEN
    Inventors: Keiji Honda, Katsuhiro Tsuji, Masaki Moronuki, Takuma Sekiya
  • Patent number: 10087788
    Abstract: A lifter rotation preventing structure includes a lifter body, a retainer and a biasing member. The lifter body is inserted into a sliding hole of a housing and reciprocated according to rotation of a cam. The lifter body has a peripheral wall slidable in a sliding hole and a partition wall partitioning an inside of the peripheral wall into a first space where the cam is located and a second space located opposite the first space. The retainer has a retainer body connected to an engaging member and a rotation preventing protrusion protruding from an outer periphery of the retainer body and fittingly extending through the peripheral wall. The rotation preventing protrusion has a distal end moved into a rotation preventing groove to prevent the lifter body from rotation. The biasing member interposed between the retainer body and the housing to bias the lifter body to the cam side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuya Sasaki, Daiki Miyazawa, Kimihiko Todo
  • Patent number: 10047640
    Abstract: A roller tappet includes a housing, and the housing includes a first housing element and a second housing element. The first housing element has a receiving region configured to receive a roller of the roller tappet, and the second housing element is separate from the first housing element and is forged. The first housing element may be formed from metal sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Daniel Ludwig, Bernd Naujoks
  • Patent number: 10047641
    Abstract: An object is to provide a roller lifter which can maintain a proper dimensional accuracy of an outer diameter. A shaft (25) rotatably supporting a roller (30) is inserted through a pair of opposed portions (21) and swaged to be fixed. A cylindrical portion (61) is disposed to be fixed at a relative position to the opposed portions (21). Upon rotation of a cam (90), the cylindrical portion (61) is reciprocated via the roller (30). The roller lifter (10) includes a first member (20) in which the shaft (25) is swaged to be fixed to the opposed portions (21) and a second member (60) separate from the first member (20) and couplable via a coupling member to the first member (20). The second member (60) includes at least the cylindrical portion (61).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideki Oka, Hiroki Fujii, Naoyuki Yamane
  • Patent number: 10030548
    Abstract: The cam follower roller device provides a tappet housing extending along an axis, a pin mounted on the tappet housing and a roller mounted on the pin. The tappet housing includes a main body provided inside which the roller is mounted and with a recess delimited axially by a radial portion of the body. The tappet housing further provides at least one stiffening insert mounted in axial contact with the radial portion of the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Samuel Viault, Richard Corbett, Benoît Hauvespre
  • Patent number: 10024200
    Abstract: A roller tappet for a fuel unit pump of an internal combustion engine is provided with a roller tappet bore for inserting the roller tappet within the internal combustion engine. The roller tappet includes a roller tappet body having a body longitudinal axis for connecting the roller tappet to a reciprocating element of the fuel unit pump. A cam roller contacts a cam lobe of a rotatable shaft of the internal combustion engine. The cam roller is rotatably mounted to the roller tappet body around a cam roller rotation axis. The external surface of the roller tappet body is configured to allow tilting of the roller tappet within the roller tappet bore for aligning the roller tappet with respect to the cam lobe of the rotatable shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Davide Di Nunno, Mirco De Marco, Luca Trabucchi, Pierfrancesco De Giovanni
  • Patent number: 9957846
    Abstract: A lifter structure includes a cylindrical member configured to be reciprocally slid in a guide hole of a lifter guide according to rotation of a cam and having an engagement groove and a rotation-preventing member which is separate from the cylindrical member and is disposed so as to face an interior of the guide hole. The rotation-preventing member is inserted into the engagement groove to abut against a groove edge of the engagement groove in a rotation direction of the cylindrical member, thereby preventing the cylindrical member from rotation in the guide hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daiki Miyazawa, Kimihiko Todo, Tatsuya Sasaki
  • Patent number: 9957848
    Abstract: A cam follower for operable attachment to a valve lifter assembly for use with a variable cam lobe camshaft in a variable valve timing system includes a housing with a central cavity and a mushroom head with a stem pivotably connected to the housing in the central cavity, the mushroom head having a radiused surface for contacting a cam lobe surface. The cam follower is used in combination with a variable cam surface of an axially displaceable camshaft to obtain improvements in idling speed and volumetric efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Inventor: Daniel Guy Pomerleau
  • Patent number: 9951734
    Abstract: An actuator includes a roller, a roller pin, and a tappet. The roller is in contact with the cam. The roller pin rotationally supports the roller. The tappet is connected with the roller via the roller pin and is integrally movable with the roller and the roller pin. The tappet is movable back and forth integrally with an actuated object. The tappet has an accommodation chamber and a roller releasing portion. The accommodation chamber rotationally accommodates the roller. The roller releasing portion is located inside an inner wall of the accommodation chamber to restrict the tappet from making contact with an outer periphery of the roller. The roller releasing portion has a reinforcing rib in a recessed curved shape. The reinforcing rib is projected from a reference surface of the inner wall of the accommodation chamber toward the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Naoto Oki
  • Patent number: 9933062
    Abstract: A mechanical system forms a cam follower or a rocker arm. The mechanical system comprises: a support element, a pin extending between two opposite ends along a first axis and supported by the support element, and a roller adapted to receive the pin. The roller being mounted on pin, movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis and adapted to roll on a cam. The support element comprises two separate parts, generally semi-cylindrical, each having a contact face, in contact with one other, and a holding feature for maintaining parts assembled together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Nicolas Berruet, François Champalou, Samuel Viault
  • Patent number: 9816404
    Abstract: In a hydraulic compensation element for the valve train of an internal combustion engine, with a circular cylindrical housing (32) that has, in its bore (35), an axially movable pressure piston (36) with a reservoir (37) for oil as a hydraulic medium, a sleeve-like deflection element for oil is arranged in the interior of the pressure piston (36). The oil can be introduced through a radial feed hole of the housing (32), a rising channel (42), and an end-side opening (46) of the deflection element into the reservoir (37) of the pressure piston (36). The deflection element is constructed as a circular cylindrical inner sleeve (40) that has, on one axial end, an oversize dimension relative to the inner diameter of the pressure piston (36), and the inner sleeve (40) is fixed in the pressure piston (36) with a positive and non-positive fit connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Schnell, Peter Sailer
  • Patent number: 9803516
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine having a valve lifter assembly is disclosed. The internal combustion engine comprising an engine head having at least two wells adapted to receive at least one valve lifter, the at least one valve lifter includes a flat surface, at least one spacer installed within the engine head having a first surface, a hollow portion, and a second surface, the first surface is tapered with respect to a vertical axis of the at least one spacer, and a tie-bar plate for coupling the at least one spacer using head bolts. The at least one spacer and the at least one valve lifter are operatively arranged during operation in such a way that the flat surface of the at least one valve lifter faces the first surface of the at least one spacer to prevent rotation of the at least one valve lifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeremy D. Byrd, Kevin W. Redinbo, Bryce L. Tiller
  • Patent number: 9790818
    Abstract: A mechanical system that forms a cam follower or a rocker arm. The mechanical system includes a support element, a pin extending between two opposite ends along a first axis, and a roller mounted on the pin, movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis and adapted to roll on a cam. The support element further comprises an insert having holding members supporting the pin ends, provided with cut-outs having a shape complementary to the shape of the pin-ends, for assembling pin with insert by quarter-turn around the first axis. The pin ends each have a flat surface and an external surface. A first dimension of each pin end, measured perpendicularly to the flat surface, between the flat surface and the external surface of the pin end, is higher than half the outer diameter of the pin ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Nicolas Berruet, François Champalou, Samuel Viault
  • Patent number: 9752669
    Abstract: The cam follower roller device comprises a body, a shaft mounted on the body, and a roller mounted on the said shaft in a rotationally movable manner and comprising two end faces. Each of the said faces is arranged at least in part axially facing an inner wall of the body. At least one of the end faces of the roller and/or at least one of the said inner walls of the body comprise an antifriction and wear-resistant coating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Benoît Hauvespre, Gwenael Hingouet
  • Patent number: 9752670
    Abstract: A mechanical system, forming a cam follower or a rocker arm, and comprising a support element, a pin extending between two opposite ends along a first axis and supported by the support element, and a roller movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis and adapted to roll on a cam. The support element includes at least a first part and a second separate part which, when fitted together, together delimit a lubricating groove on an external surface of the support element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Nicolas Berruet, François Champalou, Samuel Viault
  • Patent number: 9599081
    Abstract: A tappet (1) for a fuel injection pump, having a tube-like housing (2), which accommodates a roller (4) for the running on a periodic lift generator inside the inner lateral surface (5) thereof in the region of a first ring end (3). This roller has axle stumps (7) projecting from the end faces (6) of the roller, by which stumps the roller sits in recesses (8) in the housing (2), wherein the housing (2) is penetrated axially by a bridge piece (9) underneath the roller (4), the underside (11) of which bridge piece, which faces a second ring end (10) of the housing (2), acts as a rest for a plunger following part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Dorn, Norbert Geyer
  • Patent number: 9541184
    Abstract: A mechanical system, comprising a support element having an outer surface adapted to slide in a housing receiving the mechanical system, a pin extending along a first axis and comprising two opposite ends, each adapted to be fitted in the support element for radial and/or axial retention of the pin relative to the first axis, and a roller element movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis. The mechanical system comprises at least one outer insert positioned at the outer surface of the support element. The mechanical system can be integrated into either an injection pump or a valve actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: François Champalou, Richard Corbett, Benoît Hauvespre
  • Patent number: 9482118
    Abstract: A tappet (1) having a tube-like housing (2), which in the region of one of the end faces (3) thereof receives a roller (5) running on a pin (4) and serving for contact with a periodic stroke generator. The pin (4) is mounted via the ends (6) thereof in a flat (8) that is indented from an outer surface (7) of the housing, wherein in the housing (2), axially beneath the roller (5), means (9) are provided for an at least indirect bearing of a tappet follower member. The housing (2) is formed of an extruded profile having profiling on the inner surface (10) of the housing (2), wherein, viewed in a circumferential direction of the housing (2), at least twothick-wall profile segments and two thin-wall profile segments (11, 12) are present. The thick-wall profile segments lie diametrically opposite each other and the thin-wall profile segments lie diametrically opposite each other, and the flat portions (8) are located in the thick-wall profiled segments (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Dorn, Norbert Geyer
  • Patent number: 9243526
    Abstract: A method for operating an engine is provided. The method comprises adjusting an oil pressure in an oil circuit, the oil circuit including a pump in fluidic communication with a hydraulically adjustable cam follower and switching the hydraulically adjustable cam follower into a connected state to a disconnected in response to the oil pressure adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Jan Mehring, Klemens Grieser, Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach, Bernd Steiner
  • Patent number: 9217407
    Abstract: The mechanical lifter generally includes an inner lift member, an outer lift member, and a roller. The inner lift member is at least partly made of a metallic material. The outer lift member is at least partly made of a polymeric material and surrounds the inner lift member. The roller is rotatably coupled with respect to the inner lift member and is partly disposed within the inner lift member. The inner lift member is configured to move a first component in response to a force applied to the roller by a second component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: William D Bauman, Gerald R Stabel, Carl Ralph Kangas
  • Patent number: 9217339
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a poppet valve operator that may be implemented in a hydraulic rolling cylinder deactivation system of a vehicle, wherein a hydraulically operated pivot ball selectively engages a pivot pocket of a rocker arm. Simple and reliable deactivation systems are needed that can fit into limited packaging space while including fewer moving mechanical components that are susceptible to wear and damage. The proposed systems and methods involve selectively pressurizing hydraulic fluid to rigidly or flexibly hold a piston of the poppet valve operator in place in order to open or close a gas exchange valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Gregory Patrick McConville, James Douglas Ervin
  • Patent number: 9206711
    Abstract: A lash adjuster includes a body, a plunger inserted into the body and having a bottom wall with a valve hole and a peripheral wall having an oil passage hole, and a partitioning member. The partitioning member is inserted into the plunger and has an oil passage end located above the oil passage hole in an inserted state. The partitioning member has a recess defining an oil passage together with the peripheral wall. The partitioning member defines a low-pressure chamber reserving hydraulic fluid and has, together with the recess, a press-fit portion abutting against an inner periphery of the peripheral wall when the partitioning member is inserted into the plunger. Consequently, the partitioning member has a deformed cross-sectional shape except for a circular shape when cut at a same height as the oil passage hole. The partitioning member has a same cross-sectional shape over its entire height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hiroki Fujii, Kimihiko Todo
  • Patent number: 9103236
    Abstract: A cam follower for actuating at least one gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine is provided, including a cam contact roller that is supported by a plain bearing on a pin (13). A first sliding surface of the plain bearing faces the cam contact roller and a second sliding surface of the plain bearing faces the pin. The plain bearing has a lubricant reservoir, in order to provide at least one of the sliding surfaces of the plain bearing with lubricant, and the lubricant reservoir is arranged at a distance from the end sides of the plain bearing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Schnell, Peter Sailer
  • Patent number: 9074495
    Abstract: A mechanically controllable valve-train assembly includes a plurality of gas exchange valves, at least two cylinders assigned to each of the gas exchange valves, and valve-lift adjusting devices which each comprise a rotatable eccentric shaft. The eccentric shaft comprises at least one cam element and circumferential control surfaces which comprise at least one eccentric member. The eccentric shaft is driven by a drive device to set various valve-lift positions. A transmission assembly assigned to each of the gas exchange valves is mounted in a cylinder head via a bearing device so as to be movable and is operatively connected to one of the valve-lift adjusting devices and to a camshaft. The at least one cam element is operatively connected to a spring-loaded tappet element and is arranged outside the circumferential control surfaces and at a level of a zero-lift position of the circumferential control surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: KOLBENSCHMIDT PIERBURG INNOVATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Rudolf Flierl, Manfred Kloft, Paul Gnegel, Karsten Grimm, Martin Nowak
  • Patent number: 9010291
    Abstract: A lash adjuster includes a body formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape, a plunger movably inserted into the body and having a peripheral wall having an oil passage hole, and a partitioning member inserted into the plunger. The plunger defines a high-pressure chamber between the body and a plunger underside and includes a first threaded portion formed in an inner periphery of the peripheral wall. The partitioning member has an oil passage end located above the oil passage hole and an oil passage is defined between an outer surface of the partitioning member and the plunger peripheral wall. A low-pressure chamber is defined inside the partitioning member to reserve hydraulic fluid flowing through the oil passage hole. The hydraulic fluid is then supplied into the high-pressure chamber. The partitioning member has an outer periphery formed with a second threaded portion threadingly coupled with the first threaded portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Haga, Hiroki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 9009963
    Abstract: A method for joining structural elements onto a shaft may include generating at least one projection at a respective joining position on the shaft, sliding at least one of the structural elements over at least one projection and maintaining the structural elements in at least on projection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Mahle International GmbH
    Inventor: Lutz Grunwald
  • Publication number: 20150096515
    Abstract: A mechanical system, comprising a support element, a pin extending along a first axis and comprising two opposite ends, each adapted to be fitted in the support element for radial retention of the pin relative to the first axis, and a roller element movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis. The mechanical system includes two ribs resting on either side of the ends for axial retention of the pin along the first axis. The mechanical system can be integrated into either an injection pump or a valve actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 9, 2015
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: Nicolas BERRUET, Charles CHAMBONNEAU, François CHAMPALOU, Benoît HAUVESPRE, Samuel VIAULT
  • Publication number: 20150090211
    Abstract: A mechanical system, comprising a support element having an outer surface adapted to slide in a housing receiving the mechanical system, a pin extending along a first axis and comprising two opposite ends, each adapted to be fitted in the support element for radial and/or axial retention of the pin relative to the first axis, and a roller element movable in rotation relative to the pin around the first axis. The mechanical system comprises at least one outer insert positioned at the outer surface of the support element. The mechanical system can be integrated into either an injection pump or a valve actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: AKTIEBOLAGET SKF
    Inventors: François CHAMPALOU, Richard CORBETT, Benoît HAUVESPRE
  • Patent number: 8991351
    Abstract: A roller assembly for a diesel engine used in a high mileage vehicle includes a roller having an exterior roller surface and an interior surface that defines a bore extending therethrough. A pin is positioned in the bore and defines an exterior pin surface. A plurality of rolling elements is positioned between the exterior pin surface and the roller interior surface. Each of the rolling elements rollingly engages the exterior pin surface and the roller interior surface. The roller assembly defines a clearance of between about 0.01 mm to about 0.03 mm between the rolling elements, the exterior pin surface and the interior surface. The roller assembly is configured to achieve extended life criteria wherein the clearance does not increase to more than 0.02 mm to 0.06 mm after 500,000 miles of travel of a vehicle powered by a diesel engine having the roller assembly installed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelvin Smith, Brett Blauner
  • Patent number: 8939119
    Abstract: A camshaft adjuster (3), comprising a camshaft axis of rotation (D) and an electromagnetic multi-tappet actuating device (4) having at least two electromagnetic drive units, which for exerting an actuating force on a corresponding number of elongated tappet units (9, 10, 11) which are mounted axially parallel to one another, each defining a tappet longitudinal center axis (A1, A2, A3) arranged perpendicularly to the camshaft axis of rotation (D) are activatable, in order to engage with the tappet units (9, 10, 11) in shifting grooves (8) of an adjustable cam piece (7), wherein the drive units each on a facing acting end on one of the associated tappet units (9, 10, 11) form an acting surface that is moveable in an actuating direction of the drive units and an end face on the acting side facing away from the respective associated shifting groove (8) of a respective one of the tappet units (9, 10, 11) interacts with the acting surface, wherein at least one of the tappet units (9, 10, 11) is arranged relative to
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: ETO Magnetic GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Werner, Thomas Golz
  • Patent number: 8936001
    Abstract: A valve train device installed in a cylinder head of an engine and driven by a camshaft including a valve unit having an intake valve and an exhaust valve communicated with a combustion chamber of an engine, each of the intake valve and exhaust valve having a linearly extending stem portion and driven in an extending direction of the stem portion; a valve lifter disposed between one end side of the stem portion located apart from the combustion chamber and the camshaft to transmit power from the camshaft to the valve unit; a lost motion unit that interrupts power transmission from the valve lifter to the valve unit; a first spring urging the valve unit in a direction to close the intake valve or exhaust valve; and a second spring having a diameter lager than that of the first spring and urging the lost motion unit against the valve lifter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: Suzuki Motor Corporation
    Inventor: Keisuke Ito
  • Patent number: 8919312
    Abstract: A valve assembly is provided herein. The valve assembly may include a valve stem coupled to a coil spring and an impact dampening tappet partially enclosing the spring and valve stem and in contact with a cam, the impact dampening tappet including an exterior metal layer having a cam contacting surface and an interior elastomeric layer traversing at least a portion of the interior surface of the exterior metal layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Yitzong Chern, Chong Jack Chen, Stanley Berlinski
  • Patent number: 8899200
    Abstract: Oxide film formed on a spring-retaining flange by heat treatment gets unlikely to peel off, thereby improving wear resistance of a contact surface of the spring-retaining flange with a valve spring. The oxide film 15 of the part of the spring-retaining flange 3 with the valve spring 7 is at least partially removed to make thickness of the oxide film to 0.00 to 0.02 ?m.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fuji Oozx Inc.
    Inventors: Takayuki Aoki, Takeshi Sassa
  • Patent number: 8875676
    Abstract: A roller tappet (1) is proposed for a high-pressure fuel pump of an internal combustion engine, having a housing (2), in the case of the drive-side end (3) of which two surfaces (5) which lie diametrically opposite one another and are depressed by an outer shell (4) of the housing (2) are applied with in each case one receptacle (6), in which surfaces (5) a pin (8) is mounted which carries a cam roller (7), wherein an inner shell (9) of the housing (2), axially below the cam roller (7) as viewed in the direction remote from the drive, is penetrated by a bridge piece (10), the output-side end (11) of which has a rest (12) for a tappet following part, wherein the outer shell (4) of the housing (2) which is non-stepped as least as far as possible apart from the surfaces (5) is provided as a closed circumferential ring (14), as viewed in the drive direction immediately above upper sides (13) of the surfaces (5), which upper sides (13) run through the housing (2) in the manner of chords, which closed circumferenti
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Norbert Geyer, Stefan Dorn
  • Publication number: 20140261269
    Abstract: A roller assembly for a diesel engine used in a high mileage vehicle includes a roller having an exterior roller surface and an interior surface that defines a bore extending therethrough. A pin is positioned in the bore and defines an exterior pin surface. A plurality of rolling elements is positioned between the exterior pin surface and the roller interior surface. Each of the rolling elements rollingly engages the exterior pin surface and the roller interior surface. The roller assembly defines a clearance of between about 0.01 mm to about 0.03 mm between the rolling elements, the exterior pin surface and the interior surface. The roller assembly is configured to achieve extended life criteria wherein the clearance does not increase to more than 0.02 mm to 0.06 mm after 500,000 miles of travel of a vehicle powered by a diesel engine having the roller assembly installed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Roller Bearing Company of America, Inc.
    Inventors: Kelvin Smith, Brett Blauner
  • Patent number: 8826875
    Abstract: The invention relates to an actuator of an electrohydraulic gas exchange valve drive of an internal combustion engine, comprising an actuator housing (4), which can be fixed in the internal combustion engine and which comprises a bore (9); a valve play compensation element (8) which is received in said bore in an axially movable manner and which comprises a compensating housing (12) for actuating the gas exchange valve (1); and an axial stop which limits the extending movement of the compensation housing out of the bore (9) and which comprises stopes (14, 15) that overlap each other radially. The stop (14) on the compensation housing-side is a collar of a sleeve (18) that surrounds the outer casing of the compensation housing said collar extending outwards in a radial manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Calin Petru Itoafa
  • Publication number: 20140245981
    Abstract: A cam follower for actuating at least one gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine is provided, including a cam contact roller that is supported by a plain bearing on a pin (13). A first sliding surface of the plain bearing faces the cam contact roller and a second sliding surface of the plain bearing faces the pin. The plain bearing has a lubricant reservoir, in order to provide at least one of the sliding surfaces of the plain bearing with lubricant, and the lubricant reservoir is arranged at a distance from the end sides of the plain bearing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO. KG
    Inventors: Oliver Schnell, Peter Sailer