Tappet Patents (Class 123/90.48)
  • Patent number: 7464680
    Abstract: The invention proposes a switching element (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, particularly for valve deactivation, with a simple-to-implement measure for adjusting the coupling lash of its coupling means (8) in a receptacle (6) using two retaining rings (19, 20), one of which is stocked in a variety of thicknesses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Ina-Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Norbert Geyer, Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell
  • Patent number: 7458352
    Abstract: A switchable valve drive element of an internal combustion engine can be actuated hydraulically. A valve tappet which can be displaced axially in a bore of the machine housing by the cam of a camshaft. A switching duct adjoins the valve tappet and is filled with a hydraulic oil. A connection on the valve drive element between the switching duct and a space with a lower pressure level compared to the pressure in the switching duct. The connection can be produced between the switching duct and the space with a lower pressure level by means of the valve tappet. The space may be inside the tappet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: INA Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell, Jochen Tovar
  • Publication number: 20080271694
    Abstract: A travel limited plunger for a hydraulic lifter for, among other purposes, use in racing and/or other high performance applications. In one variation, an existing retaining clip is replaced by a heavy duty retainer and a precisely sized spacer is inserted between the retainer and the plunger to limit travel of the plunger. In a second variation, the existing retaining clip is removed, a retaining groove is formed (e.g., by machining) within the interior of the lifter at a position located so as to allow a retainer inserted therein to limit travel of the plunger to a predetermined distance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Pual Brothers
  • Publication number: 20080264370
    Abstract: A switchable component (1) for a valve train of a combustion engine is provided, such as a roller tappet, with a housing (2), in whose borehole (3) an inner element (4) runs that can move relative to the housing in the axial direction. At least one coupling element (6) is allocated to the inner element (4), wherein this coupling element, in the decoupled case, lies with its outer end (7) directly in front of an annular surface (8) between both components (2, 4) and, in the coupled case, engages in some sections with a driver surface (9) in the borehole (3) of the housing (2), and wherein, between the components (2, 4) there is a lost-motion spring element (10) forcing these components away from each other in the axial direction. As the coupling element (6) there is at least one sickle-shaped ratchet that can pivot outward and that sits at least indirectly in an opening (11) in the outer shell (5) of the inner element (4) and that is connected to the inner element (4) in an articulated way at one end (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventor: Jeffrey Shewell
  • Patent number: 7434557
    Abstract: A hydraulic reverse spring valve clearance compensation element (RSHVA) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine comprising: a housing (2), which has a blind bore (3), in which a piston (4) is guided with a tight, sealing clearance; the piston (4) comprises a lower piston part (4a) with a lower piston head (5), which together with the blind bore (3) defines a high-pressure chamber (7), whilst a low-pressure chamber (8) is situated above the lower piston head (5); the pressure chambers (7, 8) being connected by a central axial bore (10) in the lower piston head (5), which is controlled by a control valve (11) arranged on the underside (23) of the lower piston head (5); the control valve (11) comprises a control valve ball (19), upon which a control valve spring (20) acts in the opening direction and the lift of which is limited by a lift-limiting stop (24) of a valve ball cap (21), whereby an RSHVA, the idle lift of which is as independent as possible of the viscosity and hence of the temperature
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell
  • Patent number: 7431001
    Abstract: A rail used as a torsional stop for the valve train of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The rail includes spaces (10) which are arranged in a row spaced apart at a distance from one another within the rail (8) and accommodate inserted valve lifters provided as roller tappets (9). Two parallel torsional stop areas (15) are configured on the outer surface of each roller tappet (9) in the form of planar flattened zones in order to secure the roller tappet (9) against rotation about the central longitudinal axis thereof. The torsional stop areas (15) rest against guide areas of the rail (8), which are located inside the associated accommodating space (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Hermann Keller, Roland Krapp
  • Patent number: 7426912
    Abstract: An oil supply circuit for a cylinder deactivation system having a simple structure and capable of being installed at a cylinder head without needing additional extraneous elements by forming an oil line within a cam shaft. An embodiment may include a hydraulic pump, a plurality of tappets for controlling opening of intake and exhaust valves, a first oil circuit connected to the hydraulic pump through an oil supply line and supplying a high pressure oil to the tappets, and a second oil circuit connected to the hydraulic pump and supplying an oil to the tappets. The second oil circuit includes an oil line formed in a hollow space of the cam shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Bong Sang Lee
  • Patent number: 7404386
    Abstract: A multi-step valve actuation system is provided to selectively open a poppet valve of an internal combustion engine having a camshaft rotatably supported by a cylinder block. The multi-step valve actuation system includes a rocker arm operable to selectively open the poppet valve and a pushrod operable to bias the rocker arm. A first follower arm is engageable with a first cam of the camshaft and operates to selectively bias the pushrod. A lash adjuster is disposed between the first follower arm and the pushrod. A second follower arm is engageable with a second cam of the camshaft and selectively latchable with respect to the first follower arm, while a third follower arm is engageable with a third cam of the camshaft and selectively latchable with respect to the first follower arm. An internal combustion engine incorporating the multi-step valve actuation system of the present invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Madhusudan Raghavan, Burak A. Gecim, John Ioan Manole
  • Patent number: 7401584
    Abstract: A switchable cam follower (1) is proposed which serves to transmit a cam stroke in a variable manner from a cam to valve timing mechanism elements of an internal combustion engine. The cam follower (1) comprises substantially a cylindrical inner part (5) and a cylindrical outer part (2) which can be displaced into one another in the direction of their longitudinal axes and can be locked and unlocked in a relative position by means of coupling means (10) which are preferably actuated by pressure-modulated hydraulic medium, and also comprises at least one spring means (7) which is arranged between the inner part (5) and the outer part (2). The inner part (5) has a run-on surface (16) for the cam at one end side (17) and is radially guided in an inner wall (4) of the outer part (2) by way of an outer circumferential surface (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Donald Haefner
  • Patent number: 7395792
    Abstract: A deactivation valve lifter includes a lifter body. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine and at least one annular pin chamber. A pin housing includes a pin housing bottom. The pin housing bottom defines at least one pin stop aperture and a radially directed pin bore. A deactivation pin assembly is disposed within the pin bore and includes pin members. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the lifter body. A portion of each pin member may be disposed within the annular pin chamber to thereby selectively couple and decouple the lifter body to the pin housing. A drain aperture defined by the pin housing bottom extends from the pin bore to an outside surface of the pin housing. A stop pin is disposed in the at least one pin stop aperture for limiting the inward motion of the pin members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick J. Hendriksma, Mark J. Spath
  • Patent number: 7389757
    Abstract: A force-transmitting arrangement (4) for a valve train (1) of an internal-combustion engine (2) with hydraulic valve play compensation device (6) with a hollow cylindrical compensation piston (15) is provided. The compensation piston (15) borders, on one end, a working space (32) of the valve play compensation device (6) and, on the other end, a hydraulic medium reservoir (33), which is used for supplying the working space (32) and which is connected to a hydraulic medium supply (18) of the internal-combustion engine (2). A run-off safety device (22, 22a, 22b) at least partially prevents a hydraulic medium flow from the hydraulic medium reservoir (33) in the direction of the hydraulic medium supply (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Calin Petru Itoafa, Friedrich Hieronymus
  • Patent number: 7387098
    Abstract: A cam follower includes a roller on which a cam rolls. A material ratio Rmr (C) (C: a section level %) of an radially outer surface of the roller is set to relations of 0%<Rmr (10%)?10%, a Kurtosis Rku of a roughness profile of the outer surface is set to 4?Rku?10, an arithmetic mean roughness Ra of the outer surface is set to 0<Ra?0.15, and a compression stress S of the outer surface is set to 800 MPa?S?1,100 MPa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Jtekt Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Waseda, Shinya Ochi
  • Patent number: 7380531
    Abstract: A variable valve drive for changing control timing of cam-actuated gas-exchange valves of an internal combustion engine is provided, with a tappet (6a, 6b, 6c), which, with convex cam engaging contour (5), engages a cam (4a, 4b, 4c) of a camshaft (3a, 3b, 3c) and which is guided so that it can move in the longitudinal direction in a rotatable tappet guide (7a, 7b, 7c), whose rotational angle (9) is adjustable for changing the control timing. In this way, the tappet guide (7a, 7b, 7c) can rotate about a rotational axis (8) parallel to a longitudinal axis (2) of the camshaft (3a, 3b, 3c).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Donald Haefner, Florin Bugescu
  • Publication number: 20080115752
    Abstract: An upper surface of a head part of a valve lifter has a predetermined turn back portion at which, with a valuable valve control device kept controlled to induce a maximum lift of an engine valve, a swing stroke of a rounded cam surface of a swing cam relative to the upper surface of the head part changes a traveling direction from a radially outward direction for opening the engine valve to a radially inward direction for closing the engine valve. An inlet end part of an oil hole formed in the head part is placed at a radially inside position of the upper surface other than a position where side edges of the rounded cam surface of the swing cam are in contact with the inlet end part of the oil hole when the rounded cam surface is placed in the vicinity of the turn back portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Shinichi Ishii, Akira Hidaka, Keisuke Takeda
  • Patent number: 7373907
    Abstract: A valve lifter guide (100, 900, 1100) includes at least one conduit (101, 901, 1101). The conduit (101, 901, 1101) has a first inwardly-curved surface (103) opposed to a second inwardly-curved surface (105) such that the conduit is capable of holding a valve lifter (200) between the first inwardly-curved surface (103) and the second inwardly-curved surface (105). The valve lifter guide (100, 900, 1100) may optionally include inwardly-curved alignment surfaces 1103.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventors: Sriram Balaraman, Susan L. Lukasik, Kenneth R. Seymour, II
  • Patent number: 7370617
    Abstract: A variable valve operating mechanism of a four-stroke internal combustion engine includes a slide pin energized by a pin spring in a direction while oil pressure acting on the slide pin in the opposite direction through oil pressure supply passages. The slide pin moves by controlling the oil pressure causing a stem contact surface and a stem through hole to selectively face a valve stem. The mechanism also includes an oil discharge passage including a discharge port which is opened to allow oil acting the slide pin to be discharged when the valve lifter is pressed by a valve operating cam to move for opening the valve. The mechanism is capable of quickly moving the slide pin upon the release of oil pressure when the valve comes into a quiescent state. Therefore, the response of transitioning the variable valve from an operating state to the quiescent state is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hayato Maehara, Shinji Saito, Akifumi Nomura
  • Publication number: 20080105229
    Abstract: A tappet for an internal combustion engine is formed from a high-carbon, bearing grade steel. The high-carbon, bearing grade steel has a relatively high surface fatigue strength that provides the tappet with the ability to absorb a relatively large contact stresses during operation, thereby minimizing the formation of cracks within the tappet. Additionally, the high-carbon steel tappet can be heat treated to provide a substantially uniform hardness, between about 58 Rockwell Hardness C (HRC) and 62 HRC, and a substantially consistent microstructure throughout the tappet, thereby minimizing wear of the tappet during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: Lycoming Engines, a division of Avco Corporation
    Inventors: Jason William Carroll, Brock Spigelmyer
  • Patent number: 7363894
    Abstract: A switchable valve-drive component (1) for variable transmission of a stroke generated by one or more cam projections to a gas-exchange valve of an internal combustion engine is provided. The valve-drive component (1) has transmission elements (3, 4), which can be connected with a positive fit by coupling elements (8) in the transmission direction, in which force transmission surface sections (16) of the coupling elements (8) can be clamped between force transmission surface sections (20) of the transmission elements (3, 4). Here, at least one of the force transmission surface sections (16, 20) should be provided with a wear protection layer (23). This layer comprises at least one metal-free amorphous hydrocarbon layer with sp2-hybridized and sp3-hybridized carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Matthew Evans, Jermel Jones, Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell, Tim Matthias Hosenfeldt
  • Patent number: 7360517
    Abstract: A valve actuator for operating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine has a sleeve-shaped positioning piston which is connected to a valve stem, has at least two shell-shaped wedge pieces enclosing a stem end of the valve stem, whose radially outer peripheral surfaces have a conical segment which tapers off with increasing distance from the gas exchange valve and which is at least partially surrounded by a conical clamping sleeve having a mating conical inner surface and is connected to the positioning piston. The wedge pieces are axially form-fittingly and rotatably connected to a threaded bolt. A threaded segment is provided on the threaded bolt via which the wedge pieces and the conical clamping sleeve are axially attachable to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2008
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Uwe Hammer, Peter Lang, Stefan Reimer
  • Publication number: 20080083389
    Abstract: An oil distribution system for an internal combustion engine comprising a longitudinal bore in the engine head or block connected to an engine oil pump. A longitudinal insert is disposed in the engine bore, the insert being formed and disposed to define segmented galleries within the bore, a first oil gallery being in communication with the engine camshaft bearings and a second oil gallery being in communication with switchable cam followers in the engine. The two galleries are separated but connected by one or more oil control valves. Thus, the camshaft bearings are exposed to high engine oil pressure at all times independent of the switchable cam followers; likewise, the switchable cam followers may be latched and unlatched at any time or condition deemed beneficial for engine operation without jeopardizing lubrication sufficiency to the camshaft bearings.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2006
    Publication date: April 10, 2008
    Inventors: Nick J. Hendriksma, Mark J. Spath, Michael J. Dinkel
  • Patent number: 7350486
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a variable valve actuation mechanism, characterized in that movement of a sliding block is controlled for selectively receiving a driving force exerted from an actuating mechanism so as to control lift, such as higher or lower lift, of valves disposed in a combustion engine. With the design disclosed in the present invention, a conventional problem due to misalignment of the channel for locking pin sliding during changing lift of valve is capable of being solved. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, actuating parts for controlling higher valve lift will not contact with the variable valve actuation mechanism while the valve is under lower lift so that the combustion engine will be operated in an appropriate rotation speed efficiently so as to reduce fuel consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Min-Chuan Wu, Ta-Chuan Liu
  • Patent number: 7350491
    Abstract: An added-motion hydraulic valve system is disclosed. The added-motion hydraulic valve system includes an engine valve actuator that causes movement of an engine valve, fluid that moves through a solenoid actuator valve, and a fluid actuator housing having a volume for receiving said fluid. The volume is disposed between the engine valve actuator and an engagement end of the engine valve. A lash adjuster assembly for a valve system is also disclosed. The lash adjuster assembly includes an actuator fluid housing and an added motion hydraulic lash adjuster disposed within the actuator fluid housing. According to an embodiment, the lash adjuster assembly includes a mechanical lash adjuster actuated by a cam arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Dale A. Stretch, Christopher E. Hill, Edwin D. Lorenz
  • Patent number: 7350492
    Abstract: In a guide gib for the valve operating mechanism of an internal combustion engine, having holding spaces (12, 13), which are arranged in the gib (8) at intervals one behind the other, for valve tappets, wherein to prevent a valve tappet from rotating about its central longitudinal axis in each case, flattened portions (14, 15) are formed within the associated holding space (12, 13) of the guide gib (8), it being possible for flattened portions of the valve tappet to bear against said flattened portions (14, 15), according to the invention, the guide gib (8) is formed by a plastic support (9) and a plurality of inlay parts (10, 11) which are provided with the holding spaces (12, 13), each of said inlay parts (10, 11) being made of a higher-strength material than the material of the plastic support (9) and being inserted into the plastic support (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Christian Barth, Henning Karbstein
  • Patent number: 7343888
    Abstract: A poppet valve actuation system utilizing separate opening and closing cams that press against opening and closing cam followers, respectively. The opening and closing cam followers are linked to each other directly by a tension member so they move in unison. The valve is firmly connected to the opening cam follower. The opening and closing cam followers and valve are all collinear when viewed from the end of the cam shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2008
    Assignee: Pit Bull Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles N VanValkenburgh
  • Patent number: 7341034
    Abstract: A hydraulic tappet including: a bottomed cylindrical body; a plunger slidably fitted in the body; a check valve mounted at one end of the plunger so that the check valve is interposed between a high-pressure chamber and an oil chamber, the high-pressure chamber being formed between a closed end of the body and one end of the plunger, the oil chamber being formed within the plunger; and a return spring mounted between the body and the plunger to bias the plunger in a direction to increase the volume of the high-pressure chamber. The return spring is disposed outwardly of the body. Thus, it is possible to decrease the volume of the high-pressure chamber to provide a reduction in size of the hydraulic tappet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Noriaki Fujii, Katsunori Nakamura, Mineko Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20080047510
    Abstract: Disclosed is a dual oil feed structure of a cylinder de-activation engine for a vehicle, comprising: (a) a main oil hole supplying oil to a hydraulic lash adjuster to adjust a valve gap; and (b) a sub oil hole supplying oil to a roller finger follower which operates the cylinder de-activation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Applicant: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Soon Il Hong
  • Patent number: 7325522
    Abstract: A valve drive (1) for a cam-operated valve (2) of an internal combustion engine is provided, in which a closing force is applied to the valve (2) against the opening direction of the valve (2) by a valve spring (3). The valve drive includes a hydraulic force application device (4), with which a force can be applied directly or indirectly against the direction of the closing force onto the valve (2), and includes a piston (5) that is moveable in a displacement direction (R) relative to a cylinder (6) of the force application device (4) by the introduction of hydraulic fluid into the pressure chamber (7) formed between the piston (5) and the cylinder (6). The piston (5) can move relative to the cylinder (6) from a first end position (A) into a second end position (B).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Volker Schmidt
  • Patent number: 7322328
    Abstract: A variable cam follower (1) is provided for changeable transmission of a lifting movement of a cam to valve train elements allocated to the cam follower (1) in an internal combustion engine. The cam follower (1) includes a hydraulic force transmission device (19) with a variable length pressure space (18), which is bounded by a hollow cylindrical recess (15) of a first cam follower part (3) and by a rod (16) guided in the hollow cylindrical recess (15). The rod is part of a second cam follower part (9) that can move telescopically relative to the first cam follower part (3). The pressure space (18) is closable by a slide (21a, 21b) arranged within the cam follower (1) and acted upon by an adjustable control pressure (p), wherein an opening (23), which extends from the pressure space (18) and opens into a channel (20a, 20b), in which the slide (21a, 21b) runs, is formed in a base (13) of the hollow cylindrical recess (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Donald R. Haefner
  • Patent number: 7322329
    Abstract: Valve lift variation associated with a deactivation roller hydraulic valve DRVHL (DRHVL) can result in unacceptable valve overlap and idle conditions for an internal combustion engine. Two sources of length variation in a DRHVL are leakdown and residual mechanical lash. Total length variation is the sum of these two factors, and each factor has an associated tolerance. In the prior art, the two factors are independent, resulting in a total population variation that is the sum of the two independent variations. A DRHVL assembly process in accordance with the invention includes the step of associating leakdown test results for individual lash adjusters with residual lash results by adjusting the residual lash characteristics of individual DRHVL assemblies to complement the leakdown characteristics in minimizing total length variation in the population of assembled DRHVLs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2008
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick J. Hendriksma, David Draeger
  • Patent number: 7311074
    Abstract: A guide rail (1, 22) for valve tappets (2) of an internal combustion engine is provided. The guide rail (1, 22) has receptacle spaces (4), which are each used for receiving one of the valve tappets (2) and in which there are flattened sections (6) interacting in a positive-fit connection with key surfaces (7) of the valve tappets (2), such that each of the valve tappets (2) is protected from rotating about its longitudinal axis, with the flattened sections (6) permitting alignment of the valve tappet (2) parallel to the flattened sections (6). Here, the guide rail (1, 22) is formed as a metal carrier (3, 25) and rotational protection elements (8, 9, 23), which are fixed on this carrier, have the flattened sections (6) which also permit alignment of the valve tappet (2) orthogonal to the flattened sections (6), in that each flattened section (6) belonging to one of the receptacle spaces (4) can be displaced relative to the metal carrier (3, 25).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell
  • Patent number: 7308879
    Abstract: A deactivation valve lifter includes a lifter body. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine and at least one annular pin chamber. A pin housing includes a pin housing bottom. The pin housing bottom defines at least one pin stop aperture and a radially directed pin bore. A deactivation pin assembly is disposed within the pin bore and includes pin members. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the lifter body. A portion of each pin member may be disposed within the annular pin chamber to thereby selectively couple and decouple the lifter body to the pin housing. A drain aperture defined by the pin housing bottom extends from the pin bore to an outside surface of the pin housing. A stop pin is disposed in the at least one pin stop aperture for limiting the inward motion of the pin members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick J. Hendriksma, Mark J. Spath
  • Patent number: 7305952
    Abstract: A technique which allows an unskilled person to simply adjust a tappet clearance in an engine valve sometimes has a problem in that it can inaccurately adjust clearance because the abutment seat of a magnescale for detecting displacement is not a rocker arm itself and because the abutment position is deviated from the axis of an adjusting screw, due to which readjustment is required. In a method of adjusting and confirming a tappet clearance between an adjusting screw in a rocker arm and a valve stem, the adjusting screw is driven until the face portion of the valve stem is separate from a valve seat, thereafter the adjusting screw is loosened to retract the valve stem while measuring torque, an adjusting origin is determined from the measured torque, and the adjusting screw is loosened by an amount corresponding to a clearance setting specified value from the determined adjusting origin. After that the clearance setting specified value is confirmed with a displacement gauge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fumio Katou, Yuuichi Oda, Shigetoshi Inoue, Takayuki Kanematsu, Kanji Yamahara
  • Publication number: 20070277763
    Abstract: A roller pin for carrying a cam roller in a tappet assembly is provided. The roller pin providing reduced run in time and reduced peak and localized contact pressure between the cam roller and roller pin. The roller pin comprises a substantially cylindrical shaft having a length, a first end and a second end. The length extends from the first end to the second end. The shaft includes a plurality of grooves axially spaced apart and extending in a direction being transverse to the length. The plurality of grooves located proximate the first and second ends and extending only partially the circumference of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Barry T. Brinks
  • Publication number: 20070272185
    Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster for a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided, with the hydraulic lash adjuster including a circular cylindrical housing in which a piston (22) is arranged for axial displacement, and further including a one-way valve (31) with a closing body (32) that can be brought to bear against a valve seat (28) of the piston (22) for sealing a through-opening (24). The closing body is surrounded by a valve cap (35) and loaded by a compression spring (33 that is supported with a first end on the closing body (32) and with a second end on the valve cap (35). The closing body (32) has an approximately spherical, convexly vaulted bearing surface (34) for sealing contact on the valve seat (28) and deviates in shape from a ball shape.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 29, 2007
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventor: Richard Best
  • Patent number: 7299778
    Abstract: The invention proposes a switchable cam follower (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, said cam follower comprising two elements (2, 3) telescoped into each other and, axially displaceable relative to each other. A bore (4) comprising at least one piston (5) extends in the inner element (2). The piston (5) has, on a portion of its outer peripheral surface (7), a stepped entraining surface (8) that starts from the first front end (6) of the piston (5) facing the outer element (3). For achieving coupling, the piston (5) can be displaced with this entraining surface (8) onto a flat counter surface (10) of the other element (3). The entraining surface (8) of the piston (5) extends, starting from the first front end (6), toward a second front end (11) of the piston (5) while tapering into a conical shape generally in the direction toward a longitudinal axis of the piston (5).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Andre Kuckuk
  • Patent number: 7299777
    Abstract: A connection of a bearing bolt (6) in a cylindrical housing (1) of a roller tappet (2) that is actuated in a direction of a longitudinal axis (Z) is provided, especially for a tappet push-rod valve drive of an internal combustion engine. The bearing bolt (6) is supported in bore holes (7) of the housing (1), which extend in a transverse plane (XY) to the roller tappet (2), perpendicular to the longitudinal axis (Z), and is connected with a positive and/or non-positive fit to the housing (1) through material deformation. The material deformation is provided as one or more segments (9, 10), of which at least one segment (9) completely encloses a radial load zone (16) of the bearing bolt (6), and a section (15) of the bearing bolt (6) extending about the transverse plane (XY) is free from material deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Marco Meisborn, Mario Kuhl
  • Patent number: 7296548
    Abstract: A deactivation valve lifter includes a lifter body. The lifter body has a first end configured for engaging a cam of an engine and at least one annular pin chamber. A pin housing includes a pin housing bottom. The pin housing bottom defines at least one pin stop aperture and a radially directed pin bore. A deactivation pin assembly is disposed within the pin bore and includes pin members. The pin housing is concentrically disposed within the lifter body. A portion of each pin member may be disposed within the annular pin chamber to thereby selectively couple and decouple the lifter body to the pin housing. A drain aperture defined by the pin housing bottom extends from the pin bore to an outside surface of the pin housing. A stop pin is disposed in the at least one pin stop aperture for limiting the inward motion of the pin members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Nick J. Hendriksma, Mark J. Spath
  • Patent number: 7296549
    Abstract: In hydraulic valve last adjusters for the timing gear of an internal combustion engine comprising cylinder valve lift reversal or deactivation, said adjusters being loaded by cams of one or more camshafts while being made as a combination of switchable lash adjusters (22) and (non-switchable) standard lash adjusters, said adjusters further being configured as reverse-spring adjusters or free-ball adjusters, each adjuster comprising a control valve (32) whose closing body (41) is in the opening position during a base circle phase of the associated cam, according to the invention, the stroke of the closing body (41) of a switchable lash adjuster (22) is smaller in each case than the stroke of the closing body of a standard lash adjuster. This enables the idle strokes of the two different types of last adjusters to be adapted to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell
  • Publication number: 20070251480
    Abstract: To provide an inner shim that is unlikely to fall off from a spring retainer even when an anomalous operation of a valve occurs. A spring retainer fixed to the upper end portion of a valve shaft has a shim-attachment hole. An inner shim is fitted into the shim-attachment hole. The bottom face of the inner shim is in contact with the upper end portion of the valve shaft, and the top face of the inner shim is positioned below the upper edge of the shim-attachment hole. A tappet is disposed above the spring retainer, and is allowed to move freely in the axial direction of the valve shaft. A shim-holding projection sticks out from the under face of the tappet, and extends downward. The projection enters, from above, the inside of the shim-attachment hole, and is in contact with the top face of the inner shim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventors: Masataka Eguchi, Yosuke Hoi, Kazuhiko Tomoda, Michio Izumi, Kazuhiro Shimazaki
  • Patent number: 7284520
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lash adjuster body, comprising A lash adjuster body, comprising an outer surface, enclosing a cavity, wherein the cavity includes an inner surface configured to accommodate an insert and a spring; and the cavity is fabricated through forging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
    Inventors: Dhruva Mandal, Carroll Williams
  • Patent number: 7284519
    Abstract: A device (1) for the hydraulic lash adjustment for several identically acting gas-exchange valves per cylinder of a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided, the device (1)including a common housing (2) with directly adjacent pressure pistons (3) provided corresponding to the number of identically acting gas-exchange valves. Each pressure piston (3) moves relative to the housing in an axial direction in a separate guide (4) in the housing (2), and also has a support (6) for an at least indirect contact with the corresponding gas-exchange valve on a distal end (5) away from the housing, and a non-return valve (8) in the region of a housing bottom (7) wherein a separate high-pressure chamber (9) is associated with each pressure piston (3) in which the non-return valve (8) opens. The high-pressure chamber (9) extends axially between the bottom (7) of the pressure piston (3) and a base (10) of the housing (2), and the pressure pistons (3) arranged in the common housing (2) have a common reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Richard Best, Florin Bugescu, Debora Manther
  • Patent number: 7275507
    Abstract: A rail used as a torsional stop for the valve train of an internal combustion engine is disclosed. The rail includes spaces (10) which are arranged in a row spaced apart at a distance from one another within the rail (8) and accommodate inserted valve lifters provided as roller tappets (9). Two parallel torsional stop areas (15) are configured on the outer surface of each roller tappet (9) in the form of planar flattened zones in order to secure the roller tappet (9) against rotation about the central longitudinal axis thereof. The torsional stop areas (15) rest against guide areas of the rail (8), which are located inside the associated accommodating space (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Hermann Keller, Roland Krapp
  • Publication number: 20070221155
    Abstract: There is provided a cam follower in which a surface roughness of an outer surface of a roller of a cam follower which is in rolling contact with a cam of an engine is obtained individually in an axial direction and a circumferential direction, a skewness Rsk of a profile is formed to be negative, a core roughness depth Rk is made to be 0.3 or less, a reduced valley depth Rvk is made to be 0.3 or less, and a ratio Rk/Rt of the Rk to a maximum height Rt of the profile is made to be 0.19 or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2007
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Applicant: JTEKT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yoshitaka Waseda, Shinya Ochi
  • Patent number: 7273026
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a roller follower, comprising an outer surface, enclosing a first cavity, a second cavity, and a transition opening, wherein the first cavity includes a first inner surface configured to house a cylindrical insert the second cavity includes a second inner surface configured to house an inner body, and the transition opening links the first cavity with the second cavity; and at least one of the cavities is fabricated through forging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2007
    Assignee: MacLean-Fogg Company
    Inventors: Dhruva Mandal, Carroll Williams
  • Publication number: 20070215087
    Abstract: A device (1) for the hydraulic lash adjustment for several identically acting gas-exchange valves per cylinder of a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided, the device (1) including a common housing (2) with directly adjacent pressure pistons (3) provided corresponding to the number of identically acting gas-exchange valves. Each pressure piston (3) moves relative to the housing in an axial direction in a separate guide (4) in the housing (2), and also has a support (6) for an at least indirect contact with the corresponding gas-exchange valve on a distal end (5) away from the housing, and a non-return valve (8) in the region of a housing bottom (7) wherein a separate high-pressure chamber (9) is associated with each pressure piston (3) in which the non-return valve (8) opens.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: September 20, 2007
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventors: Richard Best, Florin Bugescu, Debora Manther
  • Patent number: 7263956
    Abstract: A valve lifter assembly for deactivating a cylinder in an internal combustion engine. The valve lifter assembly is provided with a plunger movably disposed within a bore of a main body member to controllably isolate the cam lift from the rocker arm and valve of the engine. The plunger is normally locked in an extended position to transmit cam lift to reciprocatingly operate the valve. At least one locking pin is moveably disposed within the plunger to engage an inner annular groove of the main body member. Pressurized oil is provided to dislodge the locking pins from the annular groove and allow the plunger to move within the main body member, thereby isolating the cam lift from the rocker arm and valve. The deactivating lifter is preferably disposed within the recess conventionally provided for hydraulic valve lifters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Spath, Nick J. Hendriksma, Michael J. Fox
  • Patent number: 7261075
    Abstract: The invention relates to a hydraulic support element (1) for a valve gear for an internal combustion engine. Said element consists of a cylindrical hollow case (2) in whose bore hole (3) a pressure piston (4) made of a glass or carbon fibre reinforced plastic is arranged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Ina Schaeffler-KG
    Inventor: Georg Hofmann
  • Publication number: 20070169736
    Abstract: A valve timing mechanism of an internal combustion engine of a motor vehicle, having a camshaft having at least one cam (18), via which a switchable valve timing mechanism element (1) can be loaded with a cam stroke (s), in which locking means (12) are arranged on the valve timing mechanism element (1), which locking means (12) have a locking play (16) which is active in the direction of a valve stroke, in which the cam (18) has a base circle region (?) and a ramp region (19) with an opening ramp (?) which adjoins the base circle region (?), and in which at least one ramp section (21) is formed on the opening ramp (?) in order to compensate for the locking play (16).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Publication date: July 26, 2007
    Inventors: Peter Sailer, Oliver Schnell, Jochen Tovar
  • Patent number: 7246586
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a wear-resistant coating and to a wear-resistant coating on predetermined surfaces of machine or engine parts, in particular for internal combustion engines, which are exposed to frictional wear, comprising at least one nanocrystalline functional layer (4) made up of at least two CrNx phases for reducing friction and increasing the wear resistance of the predetermined surface (2) of the machine or engine part (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: INA - Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Tim Matthias Hosenfeldt, Karl-Ludwig Grell
  • Patent number: 7246589
    Abstract: The invention proposes a valve train of an internal combustion engine comprising a tappet (7) and a tappet pushrod (1) that is actuated by said tappet (7), said tappet pushrod (1) being at least partly hollow and comprising on one end (3), a first support (4) for an at least indirectly contacting pressure piston (5) of a hydraulic lash adjuster (6) of said tappet (7) that follows a periodic driving element, typically a cam. A second support (9) for a follower member (2), typically a rocker arm, is arranged on a further end (8) of the tappet pushrod (1). The first support (4) comprises a passage (10) for hydraulic medium that can be routed out of the pressure piston (5) during operation of the internal combustion engine into an interior (11) of the tappet pushrod (1), wherein a pipette means (12) is installed in the tappet pushrod (1) for retaining a hydraulic medium column during a standstill of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Henning Karbstein, William Carter, David Kehr