Rocker Arms Patents (Class 74/559)
  • Patent number: 11788439
    Abstract: A rocker arm includes an outer arm having a first side and a second side, an inner arm positioned between the first side and the second side of the outer arm, a pivot axle pivotally coupling the inner arm to the outer arm at a first end of the inner arm and a first end of the outer arm, and a latch pin having a first position and a second position. The latch pin in the first position pivotally fixes the inner arm to the outer arm at a second end of each of the inner arm and a second end of the outer arm, and in the second position allows the inner arm and the outer arm to pivot independently. Two lost motion springs are respectively secured to mounts provided on the outer arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Andrei Dan Radulescu, Austin Robert Zurface, James R. Sheren, Anthony L. Spoor, Luigi Lia, Philip Michael Kline
  • Patent number: 11466737
    Abstract: A brake disc for a railway vehicle includes: a disc plate portion that has a sliding portion of a front face; a plurality of radial fins that are provided on the rear face of a disc plate portion, and that have a shape that extends in the radial direction of the disc plate portion; and a circumferential rib that is provided between each pair of adjacent radial fins, and that has a shape that extends in the circumferential direction of the disc plate portion. A flow path for air is formed between the pair of radial fins, and the flow path for air is narrowed by the circumferential rib. On the circumferential rib, a gradual slope for suppressing fluctuations in an airflow that passes between the pair of radial fins is provided from a base part to a top part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Nobuo Shiraishi, Yusuke Wakabayashi, Takeshi Kurita, Takanori Kato, Takahiro Fujimoto, Hiroshi Nogami, Atsushi Sakaguchi, Yuki Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 10738887
    Abstract: A shift fork and a method of manufacture. The shift fork may be made by bending a rod to form a first prong, a second prong, and a ring portion. First and second intermediate segments of the rod may extend from the ring portion to the first and second prongs, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: ArvinMeritor Technology, LLC
    Inventors: Joseph Melekian, Nagaraja S. Gargeshwari
  • Patent number: 10359078
    Abstract: A heat isolating linkage (5) that includes an elongate link having first and second end portions (10, 12) and a middle portion (14) extending therebetween. A bearing opening (16) is formed in the first end portion (10) and a bearing race (18) is disposed in the bearing opening (16). A rod end ball (20) is disposed in the bearing race (18). At least one aperture (30-36) is formed through the middle portion (14). The middle portion (14) may include a plurality of apertures (30-36) each in the form of a rectangle that forms a ladder pattern. Accordingly, the middle portion (14) has a cross sectional area (A2) that is smaller than the cross sectional area of at least one of the first and second end portions (A1, A3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: BorgWarner Inc.
    Inventors: George Edward Heddy, III, Brian Edward Handlon
  • Patent number: 10202013
    Abstract: A suspension linkage for a motor vehicle includes an extruded body having a first wall and a longitudinal length. An extruded feature is disposed on the first wall of the extruded body and extends along the longitudinal length. The extruded feature has a cross-sectional profile configured to control a flexural rigidity of the suspension linkage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: DURA OPERATING, LLC
    Inventors: Walter Joseph Steiner, Robert Hendren, Jim Norman
  • Patent number: 10119428
    Abstract: A roller-type rocker arm includes a roller shaft. A sliding surface of an outer circumference surface of the roller shaft includes a number of dimples. An inner ring roller is slidably attached to the outer circumference surface of the roller shaft. An inner circumference surface and an outer circumference surface of the inner ring roller include a number of dimples. An outer ring roller is slidably attached to the outer circumference surface of the inner ring roller. An inner circumference surface of the outer ring roller includes a number of dimples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Riken
    Inventor: Mitsuhiro Maehara
  • Patent number: 9636961
    Abstract: A suspension arm for multi-link suspensions of automotive vehicles, comprising a body formed by a hollow extruded profile the cross-section of which has a closed outer contour formed by side walls and comprising at least one inner partition internally splitting the profile into at least two inner cavities, the extruded profile having the length of the arm to be obtained, according to a longitudinal axis of the arm, where a central section of the arm is machined in at least one side wall having no inner partition extending therefrom without the machining ever reaching an inner partition, and where the side walls having the at least one inner partition extending therefrom comprise an end opening in each end area of the arm, between which the central section is arranged, and a method for making the suspension arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2017
    Assignee: EDAI TECHNICAL UNIT, A.I.E.
    Inventor: Jose Ramón Mosteiro Goyoaga
  • Patent number: 8960144
    Abstract: The present invention provides a variable valve mechanism of an internal combustion engine, which includes a main arm having at a rear end thereof a supported portion that is continuously supported swingably by a support member without floating upward, a sub arm which has a tip end to which a roller contacting a cam is rotatably attached, in which a center of the roller is located rearward of the pressing portion and forward of a swing center of the supported portion, which has a rear end that is swingably supported with respect to the main arm by a support pin, and in which a center of the support pin is located rearward of the center of the roller and forward of the swing center of the supported portion, and a switch pin that is inserted in a central portion of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventors: Naoki Hiramatsu, Koki Yamaguchi, Akira Sugiura, Takayuki Maezako
  • Patent number: 8955481
    Abstract: A switchable roller finger follower is provided having an inner lever and two separate outer arms mounted at one end to a swing pivot axle that extends through the inner lever. A roller is mounted in the inner lever. The outer arms extend longitudinally along sides of the inner lever and include high lift cam contact surfaces. The inner lever includes a compression spring support extending out from each of the sides. The outer arms each include a corresponding spring support facing the respective spring support of the inner lever. A compression spring is located on each of the sides of the inner lever between the corresponding spring supports. A coupling arrangement is located between the inner lever and the outer arms which in a locked position, locks the outer arms in position on the inner lever, and in an unlocked position, allows the outer arms to pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Debora Manther
  • Patent number: 8915225
    Abstract: A system for preloading a latch used in a variable valve actuation system for internal combustion engines is disclosed. It includes a rocker arm assembly having a first arm for operatively engaging the first cam for a first desired lift profile, and a second arm for operatively engaging the second cam for a second desired lift profile. A selectively-activatable latch to operatively latch the second arm with the first arm. An electronic control unit (ECU) communicates with an oil control valve that changes oil pressure to the latch to cause it to secure the arms together, or allow them to move independently. Due to the short time period required to operate the latch, the ECU provides a signal for the oil control valve to supply oil pressure or release oil pressure prior to the rocker arms being engaged with the base circle of the cams. This effectively preloads the latch causing it to react quickly and within the small time period allowed to latch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Austin Robert Zurface, David Gerard Genise
  • Patent number: 8850925
    Abstract: A follower member (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, the follower member (1) having a roller (3) mounted on a pin (2) for a running contact against a periodic stroke producer, the roller (3) being mounted with an inner peripheral surface (4) on an intermediate ring (5) extending directly on the pin (2) and forming, together with said the (2), an intermediate sliding bearing (6) situated between the intermediate ring (5) and the pin (2), and the intermediate ring (5) protruding beyond two front ends (7) of the roller (3). The intermediate ring (5) has a clearly higher surface hardness than the pin (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Mock, Jochen Viertel
  • Patent number: 8844488
    Abstract: A lubrication structure for a rocker arm includes a lash adjuster mounted in an accommodating portion located in an end of the rocker arm and a pushrod abutting against a lower end of the lash adjuster. The rocker arm is formed with an arm-inside oil supply passage for supplying lubrication oil to the lash adjuster. The lubrication oil guided into the accommodating portion is further guided through a through guide hole of the accommodating portion to an outer peripheral surface of the accommodating portion. The lubrication oil is further guided from an outer oil supply passage formed downwardly in the outer surface of the accommodating portion to the abutment between the lash adjuster and the pushrod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventor: Kazunori Kawahara
  • Patent number: 8820284
    Abstract: A variable valve gear for an internal combustion engine that is capable of being disposed in a small compact manner and also capable of reducing the generation of a knocking sound. In a variable valve gear, a camshaft is supported by supporting walls of a cylinder head, and camshaft holders formed separately from the supporting walls, two exhaust rocker arms are disposed adjacent to each other, and a connecting pin is movably inserted into pin holes provided in the exhaust rocker arms by an actuator through a pushrod to connect or disconnect the exhaust rocker arms to or from each other. In the variable valve gear, the pushrod is slidably supported in a rod insertion hole of the camshaft holder with the connecting pin being disposed between the pair of camshaft holders and has an axis that is offset toward the camshaft with respect to an axis of the pushrod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hidemichi Mori, Dai Kataoka, Nozomi Okada, Makoto Fujikubo
  • Patent number: 8783219
    Abstract: A switchable cam follower (1) of a valve train of an internal combustion engine is proposed, having an inner lever and an outer lever (2, 3), wherein the levers (2, 3) can be connected to one another via coupling means (12) and run on a common pin (15) such that they can be moved pivotably relative to one another, which pin (15) is projected around by at least one group of turns (16) of a swivel pin spring (17) as cam restoring spring, wherein a first limb (19) which protrudes from an end side (18) of the group of turns (16) acts on a first clamping point (20) of the outer lever (3) and a second limb (22) which protrudes from another end side (21) of the group of turns (16) acts on a second clamping point (23) of the inner lever (2), in the rotational direction in such a way that the levers (2, 3) are present such that they are stressed towards one another, wherein the pin (15) runs in a “floating” manner with respect to the holes (13, 14), wherein the group of turns (16) comprises a bush (24) with play, wher
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Ronny Gunnel, Norbert Nitz
  • Patent number: 8757118
    Abstract: The present invention provides a shim for a valve drive mechanism which is interposed between a pad surface of a rocker arm and a stem end surface of a valve. The shim includes a ship top surface that is contacted by the pad surface. The shim top surface is rotated about a center thereof to be cut, is provided with a center hole at the center thereof, and is shaped such that the pad surface does not contact an intersection line between an inner peripheral surface of the center hole and the shim top surface when the rocker arm is swung.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventors: Kazunori Kawahara, Masateru Kishi
  • Patent number: 8733310
    Abstract: A finger follower lever for actuating gas exchange valves of an internal combustion engine, having a lever body formed by two parallel side walls spaced apart by a transversely extending web. The web forms a first, joint socket end as a pivotable support for the lever, and a second end with a valve actuating surface. A cam roller is rotatably held between the side walls via a needle ring of a needle bearing. The cam roller projects partially via an aperture in the web for cam contact. The cam roller is narrow, and the needle ring projects beyond the cam roller at one axial end, and ends directly adjacent to a corresponding side wall. The aperture has a cross section defined by an overlap between a first, cam roller pocket with an extent corresponding to the cam roller in the axial direction, and a second pocket for the needle ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Mock, Jochen Viertel
  • Patent number: 8714125
    Abstract: A valve drive system of an engine includes a camshaft that is supported by a cylinder head of the engine and on which a plurality of cams having different valve lift characteristics are arranged at predetermined intervals, a rocker shaft that is supported by the cylinder head so as to be parallel or substantially parallel to the camshaft, and a rocker arm that is swingably supported by the rocker shaft. The rocker arm is arranged between one of the cams and an intake valve or an exhaust valve and is arranged so as to be movable in an axial direction of the rocker shaft. A presser of the rocker arm that presses the intake valve or the exhaust valve extends in the axial direction and has a length greater than an interval between the cams. The valve drive system includes a drive unit that moves the rocker arm toward one side or toward an opposite side in the axial direction by the interval between the cams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takurou Kamichika
  • Patent number: 8689753
    Abstract: The roller finger follower employs two independent lost motion arms and a coupling device that locks both arms. A coupling element allows for changing from locked to unlocked mode. Components of the coupling element include a shuttle pin with a head, a shank and a cutout on which a rod is positioned, a coil spring which surrounds the outside diameter of the shuttle pin shank, and an end cap. By positioning the spring on the shuttle pin shank, a large spring diameter and short spring height can be used which allows for compact packaging. Also, a low spring rate is required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Jeff Villemure
  • Patent number: 8656878
    Abstract: A cam follower for actuating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine. The cam follower has a housing and a cam roller mounted in a recess of the housing for disengaging a cam of a camshaft. The cam roller is mounted radially on a bearing journal by a needle bearing that extends in the bearing bore thereof. The width of the needle bearing is significantly greater than the width of the cam roller in the region of the cam disengagement. The width of the needle bearing is also significantly greater than the width of the cam roller in the region of the bearing bore and significantly greater than the clear space between roller contact surfaces which delimit the recess and on which the cam roller runs axially with the end faces thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Stephan Moeck
  • Patent number: 8635980
    Abstract: A deactivating rocker arm for use with a cam having at least one no-lift safety lobe is provided. Safety lobe contacting surfaces on the rocker arm are configured for contact with safety lobes during abnormal operation of the rocker arm. When the rocker arm is deactivated, the safety lobe contacting surfaces may come into contact with safety lobes when excessive pump-up of a lash adjuster brings the rocker arm undesirably close to the rotating cam. This contact limits the range of motion of the rocker arm during certain instances of abnormal operation, promoting more effective transition between deactivated and activated states and preventing damaging contact between the rocker arm and the cam lobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Kynan L Church
  • Patent number: 8635979
    Abstract: A drag lever for actuating a gas exchange valve of an internal combustion engine. The drag lever includes an oblong lever body formed of sheet metal material, wherein the lever body has a bottom and side walls integrally formed at an angle of about 90° onto the bottom on both sides. A first end section of the lever body includes a joint socket formed into the bottom between the side walls. The joint socket serves to pivotally moveably support the drag lever on a joint head mounted stationary in the internal combustion engine. A middle section of the lever body is provided with a cam gripping surface, and a second end section of the lever body has a contact surface extending on the bottom. The contact surface serves for actuating the gas exchange valve. The lever body is dimensioned so as to have essentially the same width in a cross section through the joint socket and in a cross section through the middle section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Frank Himsel, Jochen Ott, Dirk Richter, Junichi Ichikawa
  • Patent number: 8613265
    Abstract: A detent structure for a rocker shaft includes a camshaft, a rocker shaft, a shaft support, and a detent part. The camshaft is provided at a cylinder head of an engine. The shaft support is provided at the cylinder head to support the rocker shaft and has a support surface supporting the rocker shaft. The detent part is to prevent rotation of the rocker shaft. The detent part includes a bolt insertion hole and a detent bolt. The bolt insertion hole is displaced from a central axis of the rocker shaft and passes through the rocker shaft. The detent bolt is provided in the bolt insertion hole and is fastened to the shaft support to pass across the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sei Maruyama, Machiko Harada, Yoshiki Matsushiro
  • Patent number: 8584631
    Abstract: A continuously variable valve lift system for actuating a combustion valve of an engine includes a camshaft having a camshaft lobe rotatable about an camshaft axis of rotation. A rocker assembly is pivotable for providing reciprocating motion to the combustion valve. A control shaft is rotatable about a control shaft axis of rotation such that rotation of the control shaft about the control shaft axis of rotation changes the position of the rocker assembly to vary the lift of the combustion valve. An actuator selectively rotates the control shaft between a minimum lift position and a maximum lift position. A bias spring surrounding the control shaft axis of rotation biases the control shaft only from the minimum lift position to a predetermined position which is intermediate the minimum lift position and the maximum lift position upon failure of the actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Hermes A. Fernandez
  • Patent number: 8584640
    Abstract: The invention relates to a finger follower, or lever (1) of a valve train, for example of a piston-type internal combustion engine, with a lever body (2) having an end-sided base web (4), on which there is a spherical cap-shaped bearing cup (8) for an articulated mounting on a bearing pin of a housing-sided support element, said bearing pin terminating as a spherical cap; and on this base web is fastened a retaining clamp (9), engaging with an annular groove of the bearing pin, in order to secure the finger follower (1) on the support element in such a way that said finger follower can move to a limited extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stephan Moeck, Michael Kress
  • Patent number: 8573170
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly which has an anti-inversion part that prevents a support pin from inverting and, thus, ensuring proper orientation of the support pin, on which a rocker arm is rotatably mounted, is maintained. The anti-inversion part can be incorporated on the support pin, the inner sleeve or the outer sleeve and/or a combination of the support pin, the inner sleeve and/or the outer sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Mark Sullivan, Jesse Myers, Richard Baker, Lutz Kirbach, Michael Turner, James Westbrook, Benjamin McAuley, William Carter
  • Patent number: 8567363
    Abstract: A motorcycle engine rocker arm stand having a pair of rocker arm assemblies spaced a distance “D” from each other effective to increase the “rocker arm ratio” and therefore the horsepower output of the engine. Each rocker arm assembly includes a first arm portion and a second arm portion oriented along an axis disposed at an acute angle to the axis of the first arm portion. Each rocker arm further includes a roller contact for engagement with the intake valve stem of the engine and an axially adjustable contact member for engagement with the engine's push rod. The axially adjustable contact member axis is disposed at a second acute angle with respect to the axis of the first arm portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventor: Craig A. Christensen
  • Patent number: 8561585
    Abstract: A rocker arm unit constituting a valve gear includes a support member, a rocker arm including a roller and walls opposed to each other with the roller being interposed between them and a wire member bridging the support member side and the rocker arm side with each other. The walls have shaft holes into which both ends of a shaft member rotatably supporting the roller extend respectively. The walls have lengthwise ends connected to each other via a receiving portion supported on a top of the support member so that the rocker arm is swung. The wire member has an extending portion extending from the support member side to the rocker arm side and having a distal end. The rocker arm side includes a part located away from the receiving portion. The distal end of the extending portion serves as an engagement portion engaging the rocker arm side part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: OTICS Corporation
    Inventors: Tomoki Miyoshi, Masahide Sakurai, Naoki Hiramatsu, Toshimasa Sasaki
  • Patent number: 8544430
    Abstract: A valve drive of an internal combustion engine with variable-lift gas exchange valve actuation. The valve drive has a camshaft with a support shaft and a cam piece arranged on the support shaft for conjoint rotation therewith and to be movable between axial positions. The cam piece has two cam groups of directly adjacent cams with different elevations and, on the end side, the cam piece has an axial slotted guide into which can be coupled an actuating element. The cam piece has a bearing journal which runs between the cam groups and rotatably mounted in a camshaft bearing point arranged in a positionally fixed manner in the engine. Here, the diameter of the bearing journal is larger than the envelope circle diameter of a cam closest to the bearing journal with the cam and camshaft bearing point overlapping axially in an axial position of the cam piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harald Elendt, Andreas Nendel
  • Patent number: 8522643
    Abstract: A cam follower for a high-pressure fuel pump of an internal combustion engine, which has a cam roller that is accommodated in a pocket of the cam follower. The cam roller has a bore and the bore is mounted by on a pin which is seated at the ends in receptacles of opposite walls of the pocket. The cam roller runs with its end sides directly in front of the walls. Each end side of the cam roller takes the form of an outer surface of a spherical zone, and each wall is smooth and straight, at least in the region of its run-on piece at the respective end side of the cam roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Stefan Dorn, Norbert Geyer
  • Patent number: 8505509
    Abstract: The present invention provides to a rocker arm apparatus for cylinder deactivation with a new structure for increasing fuel efficiency in a gasoline engine. For this, the present invention provides a rocker arm apparatus for cylinder deactivation including: a rocker arm; a restoring spring supported at the bottom of a rear end portion of the rocker arm; a roller coupled to the rocker arm to be pressed by a cam; a pair of rocker shaft assemblies each including first and second rocker shafts, and a connecting rod integrally connecting the first and second rocker shafts; a pair of rocker shaft support members connected to the rocker arm by means of the first and second rocker shafts; and a transfer member for controlling the rocker shaft assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kyoung Pyo Ha, Jin Kook Kong, Woo Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 8479694
    Abstract: The finger follower employs two independent lost motion arms and a rod which moves longitudinally to lock both arms. The rod is transversely mounted in the follower. In order to avoid premature locking, each arm has a chamfered surface on a top wall to force the rod out of engagement with the arm during upward movement of the arms, to protect premature movement of the rod from an unlocked position to a locked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Debora Manther, Jeff Villemure
  • Patent number: 8459219
    Abstract: A variable valve device includes: a drive shaft (1) that rotates in synchronization with a crankshaft of an engine; a drive cam (13) provided on the drive shaft (1); a rocker cam (6) pivotally supported on the drive shaft (1); an engine valve that is driven to open and close by the rocker cam (6); a rocker shaft (7) disposed parallel to the drive shaft (1); a rocker arm (3) pivotally supported on the rocker shaft (7); a first link (4) that links the rocker arm (3) and the drive cam (13); a second link (5) that links the rocker arm (3) and the rocker cam (6); and a rocker shaft position modifying means (27) for modifying an operating angle and a lift of the engine valve by varying a position of the rocker shaft (7) relative to the drive shaft (1), wherein the position of the rocker shaft (7) relative to the drive shaft (1) is modified such that within a predetermined operating angle range of the engine valve, a variation of a maximum lift of the engine valve accompanying control of the operating angle is suppr
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Fukami, Tsuyoshi Arinaga, Shinichi Takemura
  • Patent number: 8408174
    Abstract: A rocker arm for a tappet pushrod valve train, which has a contact surface for a gas exchange valve on an underside at one end and a first bore in which a hydraulic lash adjusting element is arranged at another end. A second bore extends transverse through the rocker arm, between the ends. From the second bore, a passage leads to the first bore. A venting passage extends from a bottom of the bore at the another end and has an outlet aligned with the primary passage. A secondary passage branches from the venting passage and has an opening that extends to an upper side of the rocker arm and is situated in a longitudinal channel. The channel extends along the upper side and into a region on the one end. From the region, the hydraulic medium can be routed through an end passage to the contact surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Oliver Schnell
  • Patent number: 8375905
    Abstract: A valve train for an internal combustion engine includes a camshaft, a valve-operating cam for operating an engine valve, and a link mechanism for swinging the valve-operating cam. The valve train also includes a holder member operable to turn around the camshaft, and a drive mechanism operable to turn the holder member for varying positions of the link mechanism. The drive mechanism includes a ball screw provided perpendicularly to the camshaft, a slider threadably engaged with the ball screw, an arm member swingably attached to the slider, and a connecting bolt having one end secured to an arm-connecting portion of the arm member, and the other end secured to the holder member. In such movable valve train for an internal combustion engine, the holder member and the drive mechanism are connected to each other with a small and lightweight configuration, requiring a minimal number of parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Sato, Masaki Cho, Takahiro Imafuku, Natsue Ogawa
  • Patent number: 8312851
    Abstract: A switchable finger lever (1) for a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided. The finger lever includes an inner lever (2) with a U-shaped cross-section having, on one end (3), outer arms (4) which are made separately from each other and are pivotable relative to the inner lever (2). The outer arms extend, while flanking outer walls (6) of the inner lever (2), in a direction of the other end (5), and have on upper sides (7), running surfaces (7a) for high-lift cams. A support (10) having integrally connected lateral guide tabs (11) for at least one gas exchange valve extend on an underside (8) of a crossbar (9) of the inner lever (2) in a vicinity of the one end (3). An insert (12) having a contact surface (13) for a head of a support element is installed on the another end (5) between side walls (14) of the inner lever (2), and has a coupling slide (15) for an optional connection of the outer arms (4) to the inner lever (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Robert Heinemann
  • Patent number: 8267057
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a camshaft, a valve, a cam follower and a rocker arm. The cam follower is coupled between the camshaft and the valve. The rocker arm is coupled between the cam follower and the valve. At least one of the cam follower and the rocker arm is configured so as to move through an adjustable distance prior to transmitting motion for moving the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Advanced Racing Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen W. Schwitters
  • Patent number: 8267059
    Abstract: The invention proposes a switchable finger lever (1) comprising an inner lever (2) comprising on one end (4), a support (5) for a gas exchange valve and on another end (6), a contact surface (7) for a head of a support element, said inner lever (2) comprising on the one end (4), pivotable outer arms (8) made separately from each other, which outer arms (8) comprise on their upper sides (10), contacting surfaces (11) for high lift cams, a coupling device (12) comprising a coupling slide (13) for simultaneously connecting the outer arms (8) to the inner lever (2) being seated in a section of the another end (6) in the inner lever (2), which coupling slide (13) is seated in an oblong hole (14) extending transversely through the inner lever (2) as also in longitudinal direction of the finger lever (2), the coupling slide (13) comprises two end portions (15) which protrude beyond the outer walls (9),and for effecting coupling, the coupling slide (13) can be displaced with the two end portions (15) partially under
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventors: Debora Manther, Jeffrey Shewell, Jeff Villemure
  • Patent number: 8261709
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an internal-combustion engine comprising at least one cylinder (10, 12, 14, 16) including intake means with an intake valve (22), exhaust means with an exhaust valve (32) and control means (40, 42) for controlling opening/closing of the valves, said control means comprising drive means (44) and means (56) intended for motion and load transmission between said control means and the valve to be controlled. According to the invention, motion and load transmission means (56) comprise a rocker arm (58) with at least two rockers (72, 74) disengageable from a pad (62) controlling the motion of said valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: IFP
    Inventors: Thierry Colliou, Stéphane Venturi, Yoann Viollet
  • Patent number: 8251028
    Abstract: The present invention makes it possible to favorably change valve-opening characteristics of a valve using a simplified configuration without leading to an increase in the number of components and also without causing an increase of friction due to sliding, in a valve operating apparatus for an internal combustion engine in which the valve-opening characteristics of the valve are variable. A changeover mechanism for switching the connection/disconnection of rocker arms disposed between cams and a valve is provided. When a slide pin reaches a displacement end in the retreating direction of changeover pin, the biasing force of a return spring acting on changeover pins is received by an engaging part between a notch part provided in the slide pin and a lock pin in a state separated from a camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shuichi Ezaki, Takashi Nishikiori, Akio Kidooka
  • Patent number: 8251031
    Abstract: In a four-cycle engine, the stiffness of a rocker shaft support portion is increased while avoiding an increase in the size of a cylinder head. The rocker shaft support portion that supports a rocker shaft is integrally formed on the cylinder head so as to be disposed between an engine valve and a camshaft as viewed from an axial direction of the camshaft and the rocker shaft. First reinforcement ribs are integrally disposed in a protruding condition on a plane orthogonal to an axis of a rocker shaft on a side face of rocker shaft support portions opposite a side of a camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yukihiro Tsubakino, Shinsuke Yasui, Isao Azumagakito, Dai Koike
  • Patent number: 8251032
    Abstract: A switchable finger lever for a valve train of an internal combustion engine, said finger lever comprising an inner lever comprising on an underside on one end, a support for a gas exchange valve and on another end, a contact surface for a head of a support element, said inner lever further comprising on the one end, axle stubs protruding on two sides of the inner lever, a first outer arm extending for pivoting relative to the inner lever on one of the axle stubs and a second outer arm extending for pivoting relative to the inner lever on another one of the axle stubs, said outer arms extending in direction of the another end while flanking outer walls of the inner lever and being made as separate parts from each other, a cam contacting surface being arranged on an upper side of each outer arm while, in the region of the another end, a coupling device for an optional connection of the outer arms to the inner lever is seated in the inner lever, and a restoring spring means for each outer arm acts at one end ag
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Debora Manther
  • Patent number: 8245680
    Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure supporting a camshaft and a valve lift mechanism. The camshaft may include a cam lobe and may define a longitudinally extending rotational axis. The valve lift mechanism may define a longitudinally extending cam engagement surface and a first side wall. The cam engagement surface may be engaged with the cam lobe at a first location. The first side wall may be fixed to the cam engagement surface and may include first and second portions. The first portion may extend from the cam engagement surface. The second portion may extend continuously inward from an end of the first portion. The inward extent of the second portion may be greater than or equal to a first height at the first location defined from the cam engagement surface to the end of the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Hong Wai Nguyen
  • Patent number: 8225758
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuously variable valve lift system for engines, which can prevent deterioration of fuel efficiency due to a friction loss by a return spring even in a low lift operation state by making a high lift swing angle be larger than a low lift swing angle, easily implement the CVVL by reducing a lost motion angle to an optimum condition, and securely generate an advancing effect in spite of reduction of the lost motion angle. Further, the continuously variable valve lift system is easy and convenient to adjust a clearance of an oscillating cam link, prevent the clearance of the oscillating cam link from being accumulated, and has a convenience of workability in adjusting the clearance in a narrow engine room.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Eunho Lee, Younghong Kwak, Kiyoung Kwon, Jinkook Kong, Soohyung Woo, Kyoungjoon Chang
  • Patent number: 8225761
    Abstract: A valve gear for an internal combustion engine having a sub-rocker arm return spring that is shortened in a longitudinal length of a cylinder. The valve gear for the internal combustion engine is provided with a camshaft, an intake cam turning integrally with the camshaft, a valve cam for opening and closing an engine valve, a link mechanism for transmitting a valve driving force to the valve cam, a holder for supporting a sub-rocker arm support and a driving mechanism for varying a fulcrum position of the link mechanism. A valve operating characteristic can be varied with an oscillating position of the sub-rocker arm support. A sub-rocker arm is provided with a roller, an eccentrically disposed step and a link section. The step is provided with a spring socket, and a return spring is arranged intervening between the spring socket and the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masaki Cho, Toshiyuki Sato, Takahiro Imafuku
  • Patent number: 8225760
    Abstract: A valve motion for an internal combustion engine which suppresses the height of the internal combustion engine low. In a valve motion for an internal combustion engine, a driving mechanism includes a ball screw disposed over an intake side camshaft and an exhaust side camshaft and having threaded portions provided thereon which are threaded in different directions from each other on the intake side and the exhaust side. Sliders are individually provided on the intake side and exhaust side and movable on the ball screw with connecting link members provided between the sliders and a holder member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Sato, Masaki Cho, Takahiro Imafuku
  • Patent number: 8215275
    Abstract: A deactivating rocker arm for use with a cam having at least one no-lift safety lobe is provided. Safety lobe contacting surfaces on the rocker arm are configured for contact with safety lobes during abnormal operation of the rocker arm. When the rocker arm is deactivated, the safety lobe contacting surfaces may come into contact with safety lobes when excessive pump-up of a lash adjuster brings the rocker arm undesirably close to the rotating cam. This contact limits the range of motion of the rocker arm during certain instances of abnormal operation, promoting more effective transition between deactivated and activated states and preventing damaging contact between the rocker arm and the cam lobe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventor: Kynan L. Church
  • Patent number: 8205588
    Abstract: In an internal combustion engine, a variable valve-actuating mechanism includes a trigger pin operable to permit axial movement of a rocker arm concurrently with a axial movement of a rocker arm shaft. A retention member has an insertion aperture formed therein, in which the trigger pin is inserted, and which slidably supports the trigger pin in the inserting direction. The trigger pin includes upper and lower expanded portions disposed on both sides thereof in the inserting direction. The upper and lower expanded portions of the trigger pin are operable to disable sliding motion of the trigger pin, relative to the retention member, beyond a predetermined range. The upper and lower expanded portions allow the trigger pin to be integrally assembled in the insertion aperture of the retention member, so as to be selectively retained therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Nakashima, Katsuhiro Kubo, Yoshihiro Takada, Takuya Warashina, Kazuyuki Kosei
  • Patent number: 8191523
    Abstract: A rocker arm includes a pair of side wall portions formed so as to face each other, an engaging portion connecting the pair of side wall portions and adapted to engage with a rocking support member arranged in an engine, and a sliding portion connecting the pair of side wall portions and being adapted to be in slidable contact with a stem front end portion of an engine valve. The engaging portion includes a board surface portion connecting the pair of side wall portions and a protruding portion protruding from the board surface portion toward the rocking support member. In the protruding portion, a spherical concave portion adapted to engage with a spherical protruding portion of the rocking support member is formed as a depression.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: OTICS Corporation
    Inventors: Masahide Sakurai, Naoki Hiramatsu, Eiichi Nozaki
  • Patent number: 8156909
    Abstract: An end pivot valve train is provided in a cylinder head to open and close a cylinder valve. The end pivot valve train includes a cam follower forcing the cylinder valve, and a cam holder assembled onto an upper portion of the cylinder head and includes a receiving groove to receive the cam follower therein, wherein the cam holder has a protrusion configured and dimensioned to interfere with an upper surface of the cam follower when the cam follower rotates such that a longitudinal edge thereof moves up.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Jong Sul Seo
  • Patent number: 8146548
    Abstract: A continuously variable valve lift device may include a vibration link having one end eccentrically and rotatably coupled to a rotation shaft, a rocker arm having a middle portion pivotally coupled to the other end of the vibration link, an advance lever having one end coupled to the one end of the rocker arm to select advance or delay, a swivel cam link having one end pivotally coupled to the other end of the rocker arm, and a swivel cam, one end of which is pivotally coupled to the other end of the swivel cam link and the other end of which is pivotally coupled to a stationary shaft to open and close a valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Jei Choon Yang, Eun Ho Lee, Young Hong Kwak, Ki Young Kwon, Jin Kook Kong, Soo Hyung Woo, Jin Soon Kim, Kyoung Joon Chang