Coupling Facilitates Relative Rotary Displacement Between Coupled Members Patents (Class 464/160)
  • Patent number: 7971872
    Abstract: A drive joint mechanism includes a drive shaft (30) and a driven shaft (24) coupled coaxially to the drive shaft (30). A coupling (31) on the drive shaft (30) or the driven shaft (24) has pin-engaging grooves (31a, 31b) and at least one pyramid-shaped pin-guide (32) between adjacent pin-engaging grooves (31a, 31b). An engagement pin (25) is provided on the other of the drive shaft (30) and the driven shaft (24) and engages the pin-engaging groove (31a, 31b). The engagement pin (25) contacts the pin-guide (32) while coupling the drive shaft (30) and the driven shaft (24). Thus, at least one of the drive shaft (30) and the driven shaft (24) is rotated by a pressing force exerted in the axial direction by the driven shaft (24) so that the pin-guide (32) guides the engagement pin (25) into the pin-engaging groove (31a, 31b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Kyocera Mita Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroyoshi Omura, Yasuhiko Sakaguchi
  • Patent number: 7954467
    Abstract: In a camshaft adjuster control valve arrangement including a valve housing in the form of a central screw, the valve housing has a central passage of essentially constant diameter extending fully through the central screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Lutz Grunow
  • Patent number: 7954466
    Abstract: In a method for setting the rotary angle position of the camshaft of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine relative to the crankshaft, the crankshaft is connected to the camshaft by means of a triple-shaft gear mechanism. This triple-shaft gear mechanism has a drive shaft which is fixed to the crankshaft, an output shaft which is fixed to the camshaft, and an adjusting shaft which is driven by an electric motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Minh Nam Nguyen, Heiko Dell, Holger Stork
  • Patent number: 7950361
    Abstract: An advancing check valve is placed in an advancing connection passage of a spool to enable a flow of hydraulic fluid in a first direction from a retarding port side toward an advancing port side upon placement of the spool in an advancing position and to limit a flow of hydraulic fluid in a second direction from the advancing port side toward the retarding port side upon placement of the spool in the advancing position. A retarding check valve is placed in a retarding connection passage of the spool to enable a flow of hydraulic fluid in the second direction upon placement of the spool in a retarding position and to limit a flow of hydraulic fluid in the first direction upon placement of the spool in the retarding position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Akihiko Takenaka
  • Patent number: 7946265
    Abstract: A supply control apparatus controls advancing supply, which is supply of working fluid to advancing chambers, and retarding supply, which is supply of the working fluid to retarding chambers. The supply control apparatus alternately and repeatedly executes the advancing supply and the retarding supply in such a manner that a rotational torque, which drives a camshaft, changes at a phase of cycle that is opposite from a phase of cycle of a variable torque, which changes with time and is applied to the camshaft, at time of limiting a phase of the camshaft relative to a crankshaft within a target phase range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Isao Hattori
  • Patent number: 7942120
    Abstract: A variable camshaft timing (VCT) system for an internal combustion engine is described. In one example, the system includes a spool valve that displaces oil from one phaser chamber to another phaser chamber when the spool valve is moved. The system may respond faster than systems that employ a pump to move oil between phaser chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Quanbao Zhou
  • Patent number: 7938090
    Abstract: A variable phase mechanism is described which comprises a drive member rotatable about an axis, first and second driven members rotatable in synchronism with the drive member, an actuator for rotating the first driven member relative to the drive member to vary the phase of rotation of the first driven member relative to the drive member, and a yoke coupling the second driven member for rotation with one of the drive member and the first driven member and movable transversely relative to the axis of the drive member to vary the phase of rotation of the second driven member relative to the drive member. In the invention, transverse movement of the yoke is effected by means of interaction between the other of the drive member and the first driven member and a radially outwards facing surface defined by the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Mechadyne PLC
    Inventors: Timothy Mark Lancefield, Ian Methley
  • Publication number: 20110094466
    Abstract: A cam phaser assembly may include a stator assembly, a rotor assembly, and a lock assembly. The stator assembly may be rotationally driven by an engine crankshaft. The rotor assembly may be engaged with the stator assembly and fixed for rotation with an engine camshaft. The rotor assembly may include a radially extending vane located within a recess of the stator assembly to define advance and retard chambers receiving pressurized fluid to rotationally displace the rotor assembly. The lock assembly may be engaged with the stator assembly and the rotor assembly during first and second operating conditions. The lock assembly may include a lock pin mechanically securing the rotor assembly in a rotationally advanced position relative to the stator assembly during the first operating condition and mechanically securing the rotor assembly in a rotationally retarded position relative to the stator assembly during the second operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 28, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: ROBERT LIONEL JACQUES, JAMES TUTTLE
  • Patent number: 7926457
    Abstract: A device for phase-shifting a rotational angle of a drive wheel relative to an output shaft. The device includes a planetary gear including a sun wheel, a hollow wheel and at least one planet wheel, wherein the sun wheel and the hollow wheel mesh with the at least one planet wheel. A planet wheel carrier having the at least one planet wheel is arranged thereon and is fixedly connected to the output shaft so as to commonly rotate with the output shaft. A drive wheel is connected to the planetary gear and is at least indirectly connected to the sun wheel. An actuator engages the planetary gear so that the hollow wheel is rotatable relative to the sun wheel. The actuator is disposed tangentially to the planetary gear and includes a worm engaging an outer toothing of the hollow wheel, with the sun wheel being at least indirectly connected to the drive wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Pierburg GmbH
    Inventors: Martin Nowak, Heinrich Dismon, Karsten Grimm
  • Patent number: 7918198
    Abstract: A valve timing control device includes a phase displacement restricting mechanism for creating a restricting state where relative rotational phase displacement of a driven side rotational member relative to a driving side rotational member is restricted within a permissible range and an unrestricting state where the restriction is released, a communication passageway for establishing communication between the phase displacement restricting mechanism and one of an advanced angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber, a valving element chamber provided midway the communication passageway, a valving element provided in the valving element chamber; the valving element selectively positioned to a closing state for closing the communication passageway to render the phase displacement restricting mechanism into the restricting state and an opening state for opening up the communication passageway to render the phase displacement restricting mechanism into the unrestricting state, and a leak passageway formed in the v
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Naoto Toma, Shigemitsu Suzuki, Hiroki Mukaide, Yasutaka Miura
  • Publication number: 20110073054
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a camshaft, a timing wheel and a camshaft position sensor. The camshaft may be rotationally supported within the engine structure and may have a non-magnetic journal rotationally fixed thereto. The timing wheel may be rotationally fixed to the camshaft proximate the non-magnetic journal. The camshaft position sensor may be coupled to the engine structure and configured to determine the rotational position of the camshaft based on a magnetic impulse from the timing wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 31, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: RICHARD L. METCALF, ROBERT LIONEL JACQUES, MARK STABINSKY
  • Publication number: 20110030631
    Abstract: An eVCP camshaft phaser comprising a harmonic gear drive unit having a circular spline and a dynamic spline linked by a common flexspline, and a single wave generator disposed within the flexspline. The circular spline is connectable to either of a crankshaft-connectable sprocket or an engine camshaft, the dynamic spline being connectable to the other thereof. The wave generator is driven selectively by an eMotor to cause the dynamic spline to rotate past the circular spline, thereby changing the phase relationship between the crankshaft and the camshaft. A coaxial coil spring is connected to the sprocket and to the phaser hub and is positioned and tensioned to bias the phaser and camshaft to a stop position wherein the engine can run or be restarted after the eMotor is de-energized. Preferably, the spring comprises a spring cassette for easy assembly into the eVCP.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Pascal David, Sebastien Stoltz-Douchet, Pierre Kimus, Michael J. Fox
  • Patent number: 7882813
    Abstract: An adjustment device (1) for adjusting the relative rotational angle position of a camshaft (2) in relation to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine is provided, with the device having an adjustment mechanism (3), which is embodied as a triple-shaft transmission and provided with an input part (4) fixed to the crankshaft, an output part fixed to the camshaft, and an adjusting shaft (7) connected to an adjusting motor shaft (5) of an adjusting motor (6). The motor (6) is provided as an electric motor and is spatially separated from the adjusting shaft (7), and the torque produced thereby is transmitted to the adjusting shaft (7), either mechanically via a flexible shaft (8), pneumatically via a compressor (9) operating a pneumatic motor (13) using pressurized air, or hydraulically via a hydraulic motor (16) and a pump (14) providing the hydraulic medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Jonathan Heywood
  • Patent number: 7878169
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Woodward Governor Company
    Inventor: Barry T. Brinks
  • Patent number: 7878164
    Abstract: In a first embodiment of a camshaft phaser, the rotor is split along an equatorial plane thereof, defining first and second rotor portions. A resilient seal is compressively disposed between the rotor portions to prevent leakage therebetween and to urge the rotor vanes against the cover plate and sprocket surfaces to prevent leakage around the vanes. Preferably, the seal includes radial seal elements to seal against the stator wall. Preferably, pressurized hydraulic fluid can enter between the first and second rotor portions and thereby assist the resilient seal in urging the rotor portions apart. In a second embodiment, the rotor is not split, and a resilient seal is provided on at least one axial face of the rotor vanes to seal the rotor vanes against the cover plate and sprocket surfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic Borraccia, Natalie G. Payne
  • Patent number: 7874274
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for the variable setting of control times of gas-exchange valves (9a, b) of an internal combustion engine (1) is provided and includes a drive element (22), a driven element (23), at least one pressure chamber (35, 36), a pressurized medium system (37), and a pressure storage device (43). The pressure chamber (35, 36) and the pressure storage device (43) communicate with the pressurized medium system (37), and a phase position between the driven element (23) and the drive element (22) can be changed by supplying pressurized medium to or discharging pressurized medium from the pressure chamber (35, 36) by the pressurized medium system (37).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Schaffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Andreas Strauss
  • Patent number: 7874273
    Abstract: A camshaft adjuster (1), in which an adjustment of the camshaft adjuster is limited by a limiting element (11) is provided. The limiting element (11) is connected by an eccentric to the associated component (3), in particular, to an inner rotor. By use of an eccentric adjustment of the limiting element, the position of the limiting element in the peripheral direction can be adapted according to the production conditions within the tolerance range. In this way, the mounting of the camshaft adjuster is simplified and the achievable accuracy of the limiting position is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Steffen Hertrich, Lothar Schmitt
  • Patent number: 7866290
    Abstract: In a camshaft adjusting device comprising a locking unit provided for locking an adjustment function component in at least one position relative to a camshaft drive component wherein at least two locking structures are provided which each have at least one locking surface for mutual engagement, each locking structure surface is formed by an at least substantially planar area which is inclined with respect to the direction of movement, the locking unit providing for a play-free engagement between the camshaft drive component and the adjustment function component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Ulrich Stubbemann, Max Von Fromm
  • Patent number: 7866288
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for varying the control times of an internal combustion engine (100), having a driving wheel (12), a driven element (8) and a swashplate mechanism (2). The torque of a crankshaft (101) is transmitted by means of a primary drive to the driving wheel (12) and further by means of the swashplate mechanism (2) to the driven element (8) which is connected fixedly in terms of rotation to a camshaft (9). The swashplate mechanism (2) is composed of at least one bevel wheel (3) and a swashplate (5) which is mounted on an adjusting shaft (15). It is the aim of the invention to reduce the mass and the installation space of the device (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Jens Schäfer, Mike Kohrs
  • Patent number: 7866289
    Abstract: In a camshaft adjusting device including a vane cell adjuster component for coupling a camshaft to a crankshaft to be driven by the crankshaft in an adjustable angular relationship, wherein a vane rotor is mounted onto the camshaft by a central hollow clamping bolt including a control valve for controlling the flow of control fluid to and from the vane cells so as to control the relative angular position of the camshaft, an additional fixing means is provided between the vane rotor and the camshaft for assisting a rotationally fixed coupling of the vane rotor with the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Lutz Grunow, Ulrich Stubbemann
  • Patent number: 7849547
    Abstract: A self-propelled robotic pool cleaner (100) has a first pair of driven brushes (12, 14) and second pair of free brushes co-axially mounted for rotation on axles (16) at the opposite ends of the pool cleaner that are transverse to the direction of movement. The first pair of brushes are mounted on one side and are driven by a drive motor (110); the second pair of brushes are mounted on the opposite side of the cleaner. A rotational delay clutch (30) is co-axially positioned between each pair of the first and second brushes so that reversing the drive motor causes the first pair of driven brushes to temporarily rotate at an angular rotational velocity that is greater than that of the second pair of brushes, thereby pivoting the pool cleaner through a predetermined angular change in direction before the synchronous rotation of the second pair of dual brushes is initiated by the engagement of the clutch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Aqua Products Inc.
    Inventors: Giora Erlich, Tibor Horvath
  • Patent number: 7845321
    Abstract: One-way valves (30, 31) are provided in a hydraulic supply passage (28) in an advance chamber (18) and a hydraulic supply passage (29) in a retard chamber (19) respectively for preventing reverse flow of oil from each chamber (18, 19) and drain oil passages (32, 33) bypassing the one-way valves respectively disposed in the hydraulic supply passages (28, 29) of the respective hydraulic chambers (18, 19) are provided to be in parallel therewith. Drain switching valves (34, 35) are disposed in the respective drain oil passages (32, 33). A hydraulic control valve (21) for controlling a hydraulic pressure supplied to the advance chamber (18) and the retard chamber (19) includes integrally a drain switching control function (38) for controlling a hydraulic pressure supplied to the respective drain switching valves (34, 35).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventor: Tokuyasu Kobaishi
  • Patent number: 7841311
    Abstract: The present invention provides a variable valve timing device for an internal combustion engine having a double camshaft. A gas exchange valve control shaft is provided which has first and second concentrically arranged cam shafts that are adjustable in a rotatable manner with respect to each other, by which a cam of the first cam shaft is adjusted in terms of its angle towards a cam of the second cam shaft. A cam phasing device is provided which operates by rotatable vanes provoking a swivelling relative movement between a driven member and an output member. The cam phasing device comprises at least two pivotable vane adjusters. Each pivotable vane adjuster is assigned to one of the two cam shafts. The pivotable vane adjusters are arranged axially one after the other in a direction of a valve control shaft. Each pivotable vane adjuster may be designed as a rotor-type vane adjuster.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Hilite International Inc.
    Inventors: Jack D. Hutcheson, Andreas Knecht, Dirk Pohl, Glenn A. Barton, Stephen L. Nance, Joe S. Cole
  • Patent number: 7827948
    Abstract: A variable valve timing control apparatus of an internal combustion engine has a drive rotary member rotated by an engine crankshaft, a driven rotary member fixedly connected to a camshaft and transferring a turning force from the drive rotary member to the camshaft, and a phase-change mechanism changing a relative rotational phase between the drive and driven rotary members and having an intermediate rotary member installed between the drive and driven rotary members for a relative rotational phase control. The variable valve timing control apparatus further has a holding mechanism and a releasing mechanism. The holding mechanism forces the intermediate rotary member and holds the relative rotational phase between the drive and driven rotary members, and the releasing mechanism releases a holding state of the holding mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Kokubo, Yoshiyuki Kobayashi, Masahiko Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7827945
    Abstract: In a camshaft operating unit having a friction torque variation simulation arrangement for controlling a camshaft adjustment device with at least two camshafts one of which is at least adjustable camshaft and at least one camshaft adjusting unit, the friction torque variation simulation arrangement is provided to simulate a friction torque camshaft required to rotate the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Matthias Gregor, Jens Meintschel, Thomas Stolk, Alexander Von Gaisberg-Helfenberg
  • Patent number: 7827947
    Abstract: A variable displacement pump including a chamber volume varying mechanism including a moveable member, a first biasing member always biasing the moveable member in such a direction as to increase volumes of the working fluid chambers, and a second biasing member that is disposed with a set load and applies a biasing force to the moveable member in such a direction as to increase the volumes of the working fluid chambers when the moveable member is displaced against a biasing force of the first biasing member by a predetermined amount or more. The biasing force of the first biasing member is set such that before the moveable member is displaced against the biasing force of the first biasing member, the valve timing control device is shifted to a release state in which an open-and-closure timing of an engine valve is variably controlled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 9, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshinori Ichinosawa, Hideaki Ohnishi, Yasushi Watanabe
  • Patent number: 7824271
    Abstract: In a device for adjusting the relative angular position of two rotating elements which are connected to a drive and, via a transmission element, to an actuating shaft by which, driven by a rotor of an electric actuating drive including a winding, the relative angular position of the rotating elements can be changed, the actuating shaft is operatively connected to at least one of the rotating elements and the winding is biased axially into engagement with one of the rotating elements for locking the drive while the electric actuating drive is de-energized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventor: Alexander Von Gaisberg-Helfenberg
  • Patent number: 7819099
    Abstract: A rotary hydraulic coupling is described for use in an engine having a camshaft, a hydraulic phaser for driving the camshaft, and an oil feed manifold secured to the body of the engine and incorporating oil galleries for supplying oil to the phaser. The rotary coupling, which serves to connect the oil galleries of the oil feed manifold to rotating oil ducts which lead to hydraulic working chambers within the phaser, comprises a cylindrical first element rotatably received within and sealed relative to an annular second element, each of the first and second elements having bores that communicate with annular grooves in a mating surface of at least one of the two elements to establish fluid flow communication between the bores in the two elements, the bores in the first element being connected to axially extending oil passages formed within the first element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Mechadyne PLC
    Inventors: Nicholas James Lawrence, Ian Methley, Timothy Mark Lancefield
  • Publication number: 20100242879
    Abstract: A camshaft phaser for an internal combustion engine includes a rotor which is rotationally coupled to a camshaft and a hydraulic positioning system for timing the rotor and camshaft with respect to the crankshaft of an engine. A bypass circuit permits hydraulic fluid, such as engine lubricating oil, to flow through at least a portion of the phaser without affecting timing of the camshaft with respect to the crankshaft. In this manner, the phaser may be warmed up rapidly, without adversely affecting engine operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Applicant: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Wesley Kridner
  • Patent number: 7802548
    Abstract: In a camshaft adjusting device for adjusting a phase position of a camshaft, including a rotary actuator having a stator and at least one axially displaceable rotor and including a gear mechanism which is arranged operatively between two of at least three shafts, one of the shafts being a control shaft which is acted upon by the rotary actuator, one of the shafts being a drive shaft which is connected to the crankshaft, and one of the shafts being an output shaft which is connected to the camshaft, a compact locking structure is provided whereby at least two of the at least three shafts can be locked to one another in a rotationally fixed manner by a spring depending on operating conditions and released by an auxiliary coil which, upon energization, provides for axial movement of the rotor out of its locked position to permit adjustment thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Daimler AG
    Inventors: Matthias Gregor, Jens Meintschel, Tilmann R{hacek over (o)}mheld, Petra Schulz, Thomas Stolk, Alexander von Gaisberg-Helfenberg
  • Patent number: 7798111
    Abstract: A camshaft adjuster (1) for an internal combustion engine is provided, in which the relative angular position between a driving gear (2) and an output element that is allocated to the camshaft can be adjusted by hydraulically impinging pressure chambers located between an inner and outer rotor. The outer rotor and the gear ring of the driving gear (2) are joined to each other via fastening elements (15). In order to create a particularly compact camshaft adjuster (1), the fastening elements are located at least in part at a distance from the longitudinal axis of the camshaft adjuster (1) which is smaller than the external radius (35) of the pressure chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Thomas Kleiber, Rainer Ottersbach
  • Patent number: 7793625
    Abstract: A variable valve actuating apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes an intake valve operating angle varying mechanism, and an intake valve timing varying mechanism. The intake valve timing varying mechanism includes a housing rotating in synchronization with a crankshaft, and a vane member coupled to a drive shaft for intake valve operation, and movably mounted in the housing. The vane member includes a vane defining first and second fluid pressure chambers on first and second opposite sides of the vane. A hydraulic circuit is arranged to rotate the vane member relative to the housing by supply and return of a brake fluid to and from the first and second fluid pressure chambers so as to change the intake valve maximum lift phase. Coil springs are arranged to bias the vane member relative to the housing in a direction to retard the intake valve maximum lift phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Yoshinori Ichinosawa, Tomoya Tsukada, Seinosuke Hara, Tomoyuki Murakami
  • Publication number: 20100218736
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, includes a housing body, a vane rotor, a first plate, and a second plate. The housing body is formed integrally with a shoe at an inside periphery of the housing body, wherein the shoe projects inwardly in a radial direction of the housing body, and wherein the housing body is formed with a sealing recess at an axial end of the housing body. The vane rotor is rotatably mounted in the housing body, wherein the vane rotor includes a vane, wherein the vane and the shoe define advance and retard chambers adapted to supply and drainage of fluid. The first plate is fixedly inserted in the sealing recess of the housing body, the first plate sealing the axial end of the housing body. The second plate seals another axial end of the housing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Inventor: Atsushi WATANABE
  • Publication number: 20100212615
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus includes a driving-side rotating member, a driven-side rotating member arranged coaxially with the driving-side rotational member so as to be rotatable relative to the driving-side rotating member, a retarded angle chamber and an advanced angle chamber, each of which is defined by the driving-side rotating member and the driven-side rotating member, a lock mechanism locking a relative rotational phase of the driven-side rotating member at a predetermined phase between a most advanced angle phase and a retarded angle phase, an operation fluid supply-and-discharge mechanism supplying/discharging an operation fluid to/from the retarded angle chamber, the advanced angle chamber and the lock mechanism, and a first air inlet mechanism for connecting one of the retarded angle chamber and the advanced angle chamber to an outside of the valve timing control apparatus in order to allow air to flow thereinto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2009
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigemitsu Suzuki, Naoto Toma, Masaki Kobayashi, Kenji Ikeda, Takeo Asahi, Eiji Miyachi, Yuichi Kato, Yasutaka Miura
  • Publication number: 20100212617
    Abstract: In an engine with a cam phase change mechanism which is disposed on one end portion of an intake camshaft and variably changes a phase of a drive cam of an intake valve relative to a crankshaft, the cam phase change mechanism is configured so that two vane-type hydraulic actuators of which variable-phase torques produced at the same supplied oil pressure are different are arranged axially relative to the intake camshaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Inventor: Shinichi MURATA
  • Patent number: 7765967
    Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus allows attachment of both a driven device and a valve timing control apparatus to one end of a cam shaft. The apparatus includes a drive member rotatable in synchronism with a crank shaft of an internal combustion engine, a driven member 4 disposed coaxially with the drive member and a fastener extending through the driven member from one axial end to the other axial end thereof. The fastener is fastened to a cam shaft of the internal combustion engine at the other axial end of the driven member, thereby fixing the driven member to the cam shaft. A rotation-transmitting groove is provided for attachment to a driven device The groove is integrally formed at one axial end of the fastener or in a member clamped in place by the fastener.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Kira
  • Patent number: 7762221
    Abstract: To provide a fluid control valve capable of providing appropriate responsiveness of the valve member or capable of compensating for fluid shortage in the case of low fluid pressure, by positively controlling the oscillation condition of the valve member according to such conditions as the temperature or pressure of the fluid. The valve includes a valve body 4 for controlling supply of fluid according to a position of a valve member 41, an electromagnetic driving means 5 for displacing a position of the valve member 41 according to an amount of power supplied thereto, and a controlling means 6 for controlling the power supply amount to the electromagnetic driving means 5 by a duty ratio of a pulse-width modulated signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2010
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Naoki Kira
  • Publication number: 20100180845
    Abstract: A valve timing controller is provided with a driving rotor rotating along with a crankshaft, a driven rotor rotating along with a camshaft, a planetary gear performing a planetary motion to adjust a rotational phase between the camshaft and the crankshaft, a motor shaft rotating for controlling the planetary motion, a cylindrical planetary carrier supporting the planetary gear and being connected with the control shaft so that the planetary gear performs the planetary motion, and a lubricating mechanism. The lubricating mechanism includes an introducing port which opens on a side surface of the second rotor axially confronting the planetary carrier. The introducing port extends across a supporting outer surface and a connecting inner surface. The lubricant is introduced into an interior of the first rotor through the introducing port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Masao KURISU, Taei Sugiura
  • Publication number: 20100175651
    Abstract: When a spool is positioned in a lock range including a stroke end in a first direction, an advance port and a lock port are respectively connected to a supply port and a discharge port. When the spool is positioned in an advance range deviating from the lock range in a second direction, the advance port and the lock port are fluidly connected to the supply port. While a driving source generates a driving force to move the spool in the second direction, a biasing member biases the spool in the first direction. When the spool is positioned at a limit position of the advance range, a biasing force biasing the spool in the first direction is stepwise varied by a specified variation width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akihiko Takenaka
  • Publication number: 20100175650
    Abstract: A valve opening/closing timing control apparatus includes a phase displacing mechanism for displacing relative phase between a drive-side rotational member and a driven-side rotational member rotatable in unison with a cam shaft, a first pump driven by an internal combustion engine, a second pump driven by a drive source different from the internal combustion engine, a locking mechanism capable of locking the relative phase to an initial phase suitable for starting the internal combustion engine, and an urging mechanism 3 for urging the phase displacing mechanism in the advancing direction between the most retarding phase and the initial phase, a minimal urging force of the urging mechanism being set so as to override the displacing force toward the retarding phase side at the minimal pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Shigemitsu Suzuki, Toru Fujikawa, Yasutaka Miura, Naoto Toma
  • Patent number: 7743743
    Abstract: In a variable valve timing apparatus in which a phase of an intake valve is changed at an amount of change according to a rotational speed of relative rotation between an electric motor as an actuator and a camshaft, the set upper limit value of the rotational speed of relative rotation and a coefficient N? of conversion from a required phase-change amount to the rotational speed of relative rotation ?Nm in each control period are set at smaller values at the time of engine stop than at the time of engine operation. As a result, the rotational speed of the electric motor in the VVT operation at the time of engine stop is reduced thereby reducing the operation sound of the variable valve timing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignees: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Yasumichi Inoue, Zenichiro Mashiki, Haruyuki Urushihata
  • Publication number: 20100132642
    Abstract: An intermediate lock pin (ILP) ILP type variable valve timing unit may include an ILP type stator having at least one chamber formed therein, a rotor accommodated in the chamber to rotate relatively to the ILP type stator, and a lock maintaining portion provided in the chamber to maintain locking of the stator and the rotor when an engine stops working. The ILP type continuously variable valve timing device includes an ILP type variable valve timing unit, an ILP type oil control valve mounted on a cam cap engaged with a cylinder head to operate a lock maintaining portion of the variable valve timing unit, and an ILP type oil flow path branched from a main oil flow path of the cylinder head to guide the supply of oil to the variable valve timing unit through the cam cap and the ILP type oil control valve.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicants: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Woong KIM
  • Publication number: 20100126450
    Abstract: A camshaft adjuster which has an improved configuration of the pressure chambers and of the adjoining pressure chamber surfaces is provided, that is attached at the end side to a camshaft (2), coaxially about a camshaft axis (3), and which acts as a transmission element to a drive wheel (4) for rotationally driving the camshaft (2), having an inner wheel (5) which is arranged so as to be rotationally fixed with respect to the camshaft (2) and having an outer wheel (6) which is arranged so as to be rotatable, and coaxial, with respect to the inner wheel (5). At least one inner wheel vane (7) is arranged on the inner wheel (5) and at least one outer wheel vane (8) is arranged on the outer wheel (6), between which inner wheel vane(s) (7) and outer wheel vane(s) (8) are formed pressure chambers (9, 9a).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventor: Ali Bayrakdar
  • Patent number: 7721693
    Abstract: A method for adjusting the rotational angle position of the camshaft (3) of a reciprocating piston internal combustion engine relative to the crankshaft (5) is provided. The crankshaft (5) is drivingly connected to the camshaft (3) via an adjusting drive (1), which is embodied as a triple-shaft gear mechanism, having a crankshaft-fixed drive shaft, a camshaft-fixed output shaft, and an adjustment shaft drivingly connected to an electric motor (4). A stop element is connected to the drive shaft and a counter-stop element is connected to the camshaft (3). The crankshaft rotational angle measuring signal and a position signal for the rotational angle of the adjusting shaft are detected during the starting step of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Minh Nam Nguyen, Heiko Dell, Holger Stork
  • Patent number: 7717072
    Abstract: An adjustment device (1) for adjusting the relative rotational angle position of a camshaft (2) in relation to a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine is provided, with the device having an adjustment mechanism (3), which is embodied as a triple-shaft transmission and provided with an input part (4) fixed to the crankshaft, an output part fixed to the camshaft, and an adjusting shaft (7) connected to an adjusting motor shaft (5) of an adjusting motor (6). The motor (6) is provided as an electric motor and is arranged parallel to the camshaft (2). The motor generates an adjustment torque that is transmitted to the adjustment shaft (7) via a secondary drive (18) that has a belt drive, a chain drive, a cardan drive, or an additional spur gear stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Jonathan Heywood
  • Publication number: 20100116231
    Abstract: Disclosed is a variable valve gear comprising a camshaft phase change mechanism, which variably controls a phase of an intake cam with respect to a crankshaft, and a variable valve lift mechanism, which changes an opening timing of an intake valve more than a closing timing and basically continuously varies a lift and an open period of the intake valve. The lift and the open period are set lest the intake valve interfere with a piston of an engine, with the phase controlled to be most advanced by the camshaft phase change mechanism and the lift controlled to be maximal by the variable valve lift mechanism.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventors: Hitoshi TODA, Masayuki Takagaki, Shinichi Murata
  • Patent number: 7707982
    Abstract: A valve rotating mechanism for exhaust valves, especially of marine diesel engines, which mechanism is braced in a valve housing for the valve stem (1) between an upper and a lower drive element, is linked to the lower drive element via a freewheel device, which transmits rotation of the valve stem (1) during closing movement thereof, and is also braced relative to the upper drive element via a rotary cylinder (15), which brings about rotation of the valve stem (1) through engagement with a fixed support cylinder (13). Therein the rotary cylinder (15) and support cylinder (13) are engaged with one another via a helical gearing, wherein the rotary cylinder (15) is linked to the valve stem (1) via the freewheel device and the support cylinder (13) is fastened on the housing side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Märkisches Werk GmbH
    Inventor: Holger Fellmann
  • Publication number: 20100101516
    Abstract: A locking and rotation angle device for locking and setting maximum rotational adjustability of a drive part fixed to the crankshaft and a driven part fixed to the camshaft of a camshaft adjuster. The driven part is pivotably adjusted to the drive part, which has a locking bar received in the drive or driven part, a locking bar member formed in the respectively other part, and a rotation angle limiting member formed in the correspondingly other part. Limiting wall sections serve as stops for the locking bar for adjusting a maximum rotational adjustability. The locking bar member, rotation angle limiting member, and locking bar are disposed such that the locking bar is displaced via the displacement mechanism into a locking position, engaging into the locking bar member, and into an unlocking position, in which it is released by the locking bar member and engages in the rotation angle limiting member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: SCHAEFFLER KG
    Inventor: Steffen Hertrich
  • Patent number: 7703425
    Abstract: An electromotive camshaft adjuster for adjusting the angle of rotation of the camshaft (14) of an internal combustion engine relative to the crankshaft thereof is provided. The camshaft adjuster includes a triple-shaft gear mechanism, which has a driving wheel (2, 2a?) that is fixed to the crankshaft and is embodied as a sprocket or a synchronous belt wheel, an output part which is fixed to the camshaft, and an adjustment shaft (18, 18?) which is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a rotor of an electric adjustment motor, having a stator that is fixed on the internal combustion engine. In order to keep the effort for producing the adjusting gears relatively low, the triple-shaft gear mechanism is preferably constructed as a swashplate or single eccentric internal gear drive (1, 25), the effort for production thereof being minimized by forming the same in a non-cutting manner, reducing the number of components, and inexpensively adjusting or compensating the backlash.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Mike Kohrs, Jonathan Heywood
  • Patent number: 7703427
    Abstract: A camshaft adjusting device for an internal combustion engine is provided. A functionally reliable camshaft adjusting device designed for a long-lasting operation is obtained when the camshaft adjuster (13) has a lifelong lubrication located in the housing (28, 36, 37) sealed from the surrounding area be sealing covers (36, 37). The camshaft adjuster is not required to be mounted inside the cylinder head (33), but can be mounted as a separate unit on the cylinder head (33) of the internal combustion engine independent of the lubricating oil circuit. This expands, in particular, the range of possibilities for use of the camshaft adjuster (13) with a belt drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Andreas Tholke