Rocker Arms Patents (Class 74/559)
  • Patent number: 8136492
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes a variable valve control system which is operable to switch actions of an engine valve by slidably moving a rocker arm in the axial direction of a rocker-arm shaft, and which is capable of removing a restriction on the sliding movement of the rocker arm at accurate timings while employing a simplified configuration. When a trigger arm swings by a predetermined amount to the opposite side of a rocker arm, a left-hand engagement nail in engagement with an engagement groove disengages from the engagement groove, but a right-hand engagement nail still engages with an engagement groove. The left-hand engagement nail is placed on top of a left-hand deck-like portion. After that, when an action of the rocker arm makes the trigger arm further swing to the opposite side of the rocker arm, the right-hand engagement nail disengages from the engagement groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Takada, Katsuhiro Kubo, Yuki Uzawa, Kazuyuki Kosei
  • Patent number: 8127727
    Abstract: A mechanism for actuating a poppet valve (28) of an internal combustion engine, comprises two coaxially mounted cams (12,14), cam followers (18,20) in contact with the respective cams (12,14) mounted on a common summation lever (16) which is movable in proportion to the instantaneous sum of the lifts of the two cams (12,14), and a rocker (24) pivotably connected to the summation lever (16) and serving to open the engine valve (28). The rocker is pivotable about a pivot (126) having a fixed preset position and a control spring (134) is provided between the summation lever (16) and a fixed point on the engine to urge the rocker (24) into contact with the tip of the valve (28) and the pivot (126) while the valve is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Mechadyne, PLC
    Inventors: Ian Methley, Nicholas Lawrence
  • Patent number: 8127730
    Abstract: Device for coupling two valve activating levers of an internal combustion engine with at least one carrier body (1) mounted on the internal combustion engine, wherein at least one hollow shaft (2) in which oil of the internal combustion engine is stored is attached to the carrier body, and a coupling pin (9) is supported parallel to the hollow shaft (2) in each of the valve activating levers (4a, 4b) and is spring loaded on one side and loaded by pressurized fluid on the other side in such a way that the coupling pin (9) connects or releases the valve activating levers (4a, 4b), wherein control of the pressurized fluid that is taken advantageously from the oil circuit of the internal combustion engine is realized by at least one electromagnetically activated valve (14) and wherein the supply of pressurized fluid is realized by channels (13) that are provided in the carrier body (1) or carrier bodies of the internal combustion engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Florin Bugescu
  • Patent number: 8109245
    Abstract: A drive cam opens or closes an intake valve via a variable mechanism, a split-type rocking cam arm, and a valve actuating mechanism. The variable mechanism varies a position of an intermediate roller corresponding to a rotating angle of a control shaft, thereby variably setting a lift amount of the intake valve. The split-type rocking cam arm includes an input arm and an output arm, and a connection selection mechanism is disposed between the arms. When the arms are connected together, the intake valve performs an ordinary open/close operation. When the arms are disconnected, an input of the drive cam is absorbed by a relative rocking motion between the arms, so that the intake valve is retained in a pause state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Manabu Tateno
  • Patent number: 8104441
    Abstract: A cam follower for a valve drive of an internal combustion engine. The cam follower has a housing and a cam roller. The cam roller is arranged between the side walls of the housing and is mounted on a journal which bridges the side walls. The cam roller, which has an outer ring, a rolling body set and an inner ring, is a combined plain and rolling bearing. The outer ring and the inner ring are in sliding contact with one another, and the rolling body set is arranged between the inner ring and the journal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Stephan Moeck, Michael Kress
  • Patent number: 8087391
    Abstract: One possible embodiment of the invention is essentially an apparatus and methodology for mounting a rocker arm assembly to a cylinder head of an internal combustion engine comprising of at least a unitary stanchion to which multiple rocker arms may be moveably connected. In least one embodiment, the unitary stanchion may comprise a base from which project multiple rows of pedestals. Two of more of these rows may be set in essentially parallel orientation, which further defines a primary space in which a portion of the rocker arm is located. The unitary stanchion may be secured to the cylinder head thorough multiple rows of fasteners. The footprint of the base of unitary stanchion could allow the unitary stanchion to possibly act as generally efficient external buttress for generally providing greater support across the top of the cylinder head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Inventors: Lawrence S. Tores, Bradley A. Rounds
  • Patent number: 8079337
    Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus may include an inner body of which an end is pivotally connected to an anchor, an outer body of which an end is pivotally connected to the anchor, a roller finger follower of which an end is pivotally connected to a hydraulic lash adjuster, wherein a portion of the roller finger follower is pivotally connected to the outer body, a valve disposed to the other end of the roller finger follower, and a connecting unit selectively connecting the inner body and the outer body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Back Sik Kim, Ingee Suh, Dong Hee Han, Hyung Ick Kim, Myungsik Choi, Dae Sung Kim, Kyoung Pyo Ha
  • Patent number: 8061315
    Abstract: A variable valve actuating apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes: a control shaft rotatably supported through a bearing to a body of the engine, and arranged to rotate about a center axis to control an operating state of an engine valve, the control shaft including; a control cam having a center which is off the center axis of the control shaft in a first direction; and a journal portion rotatably supported by the bearing, the journal portion having a center axis which is off the center axis of the control shaft in a second direction different from the first direction of the control cam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Nakamura, Seinosuke Hara, Seiji Tsuruta, Mikihiro Kajiura
  • Patent number: 8061314
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine valve mechanism including a rocker arm, which includes a bearing section and a rocker roller, and an HLA. The HLA has a pivot, which is to be inserted into the bearing section, and supports one end of the rocker arm. The pivot has a spherically curved surface, whereas the bearing section has a shell-shaped dent. A swing arm rotates in synchronism with camshaft rotation and gives roller pressure force to the rocker roller. The direction in which the swing arm presses the rocker roller shifts toward the HLA when the lift of a valve disc increases. An osculating circle is inclined by inclining the axis of the bearing section at an angle of ?° relative to the axis of the HLA.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Shuichi Ezaki
  • Patent number: 8061312
    Abstract: A lift of a valve of an engine may continuously be varied by an apparatus that includes: an input cam provided on an input shaft; a pivot shaft provided in parallel with the input shaft; a lever that rotates around the pivot shaft by a rotation of the input cam and operates the valve; and a lift varying device capable of varying a relative distance between the pivot shaft and the input shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventor: Chung Han Oh
  • Patent number: 8056523
    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 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kyoung Pyo Ha, Jin Kook Kong, Woo Tae Kim
  • Patent number: 8037856
    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: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: OTICS Corporation
    Inventors: Masahide Sakurai, Naoki Hiramatsu, Eiichi Nozaki
  • Patent number: 8033256
    Abstract: An engine having a variable valve mechanism arranged to switch a lift degree of a valve between a low speed state and a high speed state includes a cam carrier defined by a cam bearing portion, a rocker shaft support, and a hydraulic cylinder support. The cam bearing portion is provided on a line passing through the bore center of a cylinder in a plane perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the camshaft. The low speed rocker arm swings in response to the low speed cam of the camshaft. The high speed rocker arm swings in response to the high speed cam of the camshaft. The low speed rocker arm includes a through hole. A connecting pin is slidably inserted into the through hole and urged toward the hydraulic cylinder support. A hydraulic cylinder is provided in the hydraulic cylinder support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshihiko Takahashi, Kazuya Koike
  • Patent number: 8033259
    Abstract: A rocker arm includes a roller brought into contact with a cam to be rotated and an arm body having a storage portion for the roller. The storage portion has an opening edge including a part receiving lubricant oil flowing along an upper surface of the arm body. The part is formed with a receiving opening edge jutting out so that both widthwise ends are located away from a circumferential surface of the roller and so that a widthwise central portion comes closer to the circumferential surface of the roller. The arm body has a lubricant guide path formed by recessing the upper surface thereof and guiding the lubricant oil into the storage portion. The lubricant guide path has a width that is gradually rendered larger as the lubricant guide path gets close to the widthwise central portion of the receiving opening edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventor: Shizuo Ishikawa
  • Patent number: 8025037
    Abstract: A valve gear comprises a cylinder head, a supporting member fixed to the cylinder head, a rocker arm which is mounted on the supporting member so as to be placed on the latter, a substantially plate-shaped clip mountable to the rocker arm, the clip having a fitting hole in which an outer periphery of the supporting member is fitted so that the clip is prevented from falling off, a pair of walls which is formed on the rocker arm so as to be opposed to each other with the supporting member being located therebetween, and a pair of locking portions formed in inner faces of the walls so that outer edges of the clip are elastically engaged with the locking portions thereby to be locked, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Otics Corporation
    Inventor: Naoki Hiramatsu
  • Patent number: 8006662
    Abstract: An inner lever (1) for a switchable finger lever (2) of a valve train of an internal combustion engine is provided, having a box-like main part (5) with two lateral walls (6), which are connected at a first end (7) by a transverse bar (8), which intrinsically includes a driver surface (9) for a coupling slide that can be guided longitudinally by the outer lever (3), and opposite from the first end (7), the lateral walls (6) have two strongly crimped together, thin-walled arms (10), which each extend in the direction toward the second end (11) of the inner lever (1) to form a longitudinal bar (12). The arms contact each other with their inner sides (15), and between the lateral walls (6), a cam contact surface (16) can be provided. The inner lever (1) made from thin-walled steel sheet metal at least to a large extent using punch-bending techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Bodo Rörig
  • Patent number: 8006661
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has one or more engine cylinders (12) within which fuel is combusted and a pair of cylinder valves (14, 16) spring-biased (22, 24) closed but open in unison to place the respective cylinder in flow communication with one of an intake and an exhaust. A bridge (34) bridges ends of the pair external to the cylinder and has a spherically concave depression (42) in a face that is opposite a face that bears against the ends of the pair. The depression is located intermediate locations at which the ends of the pair bear against the bridge. A pivot foot (44) has a spherically convex surface (46) seated with substantial conformity in the depression and a flat surface (48) opposite the spherically convex surface. The flat surface of the pivot foot abuts a flat surface (50) of a rocker (30) that when rocked acts through the pivot foot and bridge to open the respective pair of valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: International Engine Intellectual Property Company, LLC
    Inventor: Christofer J. Palumbo
  • Patent number: 7980215
    Abstract: A variable valve system includes a transmission mechanism T which transmits a valve actuating force to an inlet valve 11 and which varies a maximum lift amount of the inlet valve 11 and biasing members 60. A sub-cam 40 oscillatably supported on a holder 30 driven by a control member 70 has a roller 43 contacting the inlet cam 15a, a drive cam portion 46 outputting the valve actuating force, and acting portions A contacting the biasing members 60. The acting portions A are provided in the vicinity of the roller 43 so that biased contact points 45a1, 45b1 are positioned nearer to a cam contact point 43a than an oscillation center line Ls and that an acting line L1 of a biasing force is superposed on the roller 43 as viewed in the direction of the oscillation center line Ls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko Tashiro
  • Patent number: 7980213
    Abstract: The invention provides an internal combustion engine equipped with a variable valve control system which switches the actions of an engine valve by sliding a rocker arm in the axial direction of the rocker arm shaft, while enabling the restriction on the sliding movement of the rocker arm to be removed in accordance with the timings of the actions of the rocker arms irrespective of the engine speed. The internal combustion engine includes an actuator that moves a rocker arm shaft in its axial direction, a trigger arm that engages with a rocker arm to prohibit the sliding movement of the rocker arm, and a trigger pin which is configured to be activated by an axial movement of the rocker arm shaft to bring the trigger arm into action, and to disengage the trigger arm from the rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takuya Warashina, Yuki Uzawa, Yuichi Tawarada, Yoshihiro Takada, Katsuhiro Kubo
  • Patent number: 7975664
    Abstract: The valve drive has a cam follower (10) which is arranged between a cam (3) of a camshaft (4) and the gas exchange valve (5) and is mounted on a support element (8). Support element (8) is stationary in cylinder head (2), with a rigid installation height (feature YP), for the adjustment of the valve play (21) with respect to the cam (3) and/or the gas exchange valve (5). A module (6) which has the cam, follower (10) and the support element (8), defines total installation dimension of the module (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Frank Himsel, Wolfgang Christgen
  • Patent number: 7975662
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine is equipped with a variable valve controlling system, in which the single actuator is disposed in a cylinder head on one side where one ends of the rocker-arm shafts are disposed, while enabling the single actuator to activate the rocker arms irrespective of the arrangement of the rocker-arm shafts. In the internal combustion engine, a hydraulic cylinder of a hydraulic actuator is disposed so as to transverse a timing chamber. Operation elements extend respectively from sidewalls of a plunger in the hydraulic cylinder, and activate respective rocker-arm shafts. In a motorcycle on which the engine is mounted, a frame member of a vehicle frame is disposed outside the hydraulic actuator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Nakashima, Yoshihiro Takada, Yuichi Tawarada, Takuya Warashina
  • Patent number: 7963261
    Abstract: A drive valve for an internal combustion engine comprising a variable hub profile for a valve having a lever supported on a variable support point by means of a switchable support element which provides possibilities for influencing the hub profile and alternatively and cumulatively, the cam is axially displaced such that various cam paths are active on the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Stephan Möck, Arndt Ihlemann
  • Patent number: 7942123
    Abstract: A variable valve system has a drive shaft having a drive cam, a rockable cam opening/closing an engine valve, a transmission mechanism converting torque of the drive cam into a rocking motion and transmitting it to the rockable cam, a control shaft, and a control cam. When the variable valve system varies a valve lift amount of the engine valve by changing the rocking fulcrum of the transmission mechanism, the rocking fulcrum during a small valve lift control is set in an area outside an arc locus drawn with the drive shaft being a center of the arc and passing through a rocking fulcrum position positioned at a maximum valve lift and also inside an arc locus drawn with a pivot of the one end side of the transmission mechanism being a center of the arc and passing through the rocking fulcrum position positioned at the maximum valve lift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seinosuke Hara, Makoto Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7926459
    Abstract: A device for actuating a valve of a valve assembly of an engine and for adjusting a stroke of the valve, may include a camshaft including a cam, a working curve member provided pivotably about the camshaft for actuating the valve, a lever holder which is provided pivotably about the camshaft, a lever, one end of which is spaced from the camshaft with a predetermined distance and pivotally coupled to the lever holder, and a connecting link pivotally connected to the lever and the working curve member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation, Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center GmbH
    Inventors: Joachim Hahn, Ulrich Karrer
  • Patent number: 7918201
    Abstract: A variable valve mechanism for an engine includes: a rocker shaft; a first rocker arm rotatably supported by the rocker shaft, for transmitting displacement of a first cam to a valve; a second rocker arm rotatably supported by the rocker shaft, for transmitting a displacement of a second cam to the valve; and a switching mechanism for switching a transmitting state and a non-transmitting state. The first rocker arm has a pair of first arm portions and a recess portion in which an upper end of the valve is inserted at an end portion of each of the first arm portions. The second rocker arm has a second arm portion disposed between the first arm portions. The first rocker arm is restricted from movement in an axis direction of the rocker shaft when an inner sidewall of the recess portion is in contact with the upper end of the valve. The second rocker arm is restricted from movement in the axis direction when the second arm portion is in contact with the first rocker arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Yoshihara, Yuichi Takahashi, Kenta Kotsuji, Yasunori Kutsuna, Akira Ohta, Satoru Ishii
  • Patent number: 7918200
    Abstract: A rocker arm (1) made of thin-walled sheet steel which rocker arm is intended for a suspended arrangement together with other like rocker arms under a girder-like carrier (2) of a valve train of an internal combustion engine, the rocker arm having an inverted U-shaped profile, a support (7) for a gas exchange valve is formed on one end (6) of an underside (5) of a crossbar (4) of the rocker arm, an upper side (9) of the crossbar (4) is stamped in the region of the support (7) by a stamping and extrusion molding method toward the underside (5), so that an M-like cross-section with a longitudinal channel (10) formed on the upper side (9) is obtained and at its other end (11), the rocker arm (1) has a fork-shaped, open configuration and merges into a region (12) which is angularly bent towards the underside (5) and on which a roller (13) forming a cam contacting surface is arranged, said rocker arm (1) of this type possesses, among other things, an excellent stiffness, is simple to manufacture and has a small de
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Van Hau Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7895981
    Abstract: In order to produce a variable valve lift device for the lift adjustment of the gas-exchange valves of an internal combustion engine, by means of which with adjustment forces and holding forces, independently from whether said holding forces and adjustment forces are applied mechanically, hydraulically or electrically, with an adjustment of the valve lift being as cost-effective as possible, and with maximum accuracy of the adjustment or control of the valve lift to be taken between the individual cylinders of a multi-cylinder internal combustion engine, and, moreover, the adjustment possibility of the valve lift of the valves of an internal combustion engine with several cylinders is obtained within smallest tolerances, it is suggested that a valve lift device (1) has a rotatable eccentric shaft (3), which consists of several eccentrics (4, 5) and whereby all possible contours of the eccentrics (4, 5) are positioned within a circle, which is formed by means of the external diameters of a bearing (6, 7) of th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignees: enTec Consulting GmbH, Hydraulik-Ring GmbH
    Inventors: Gerlinde Bösl-Flierl, Rudolf Flierl, Wilhelm Hannibal, Michael Jubelt, Andreas Knecht, Andreas Wild
  • Patent number: 7882814
    Abstract: A roller finger follower assembly for variably activating a valve in an internal combustion engine includes at least one vertical recessed channel formed inside an outer arm and a shaft. The channel includes a machined upper surface closing the channel. The shaft engages with the recessed channel, the shaft reciprocates within the recessed channel, and the upper surface stops an upward movement of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark J. Spath, Nick J. Hendriksma, Michael E. McCarroll
  • Patent number: 7878165
    Abstract: In an engine valve operating system, a camshaft (36) is supported via a bearing (41) on a cylinder head (5) having an intake valve (29i) and an exhaust valve (29e)provided therein, and an intake rocker arm (38i)and an exhaust rocker arm (38e)are mounted on a rocker arm shaft (42) supported on the cylinder head (5) so as to be parallel to the camshaft (36), the intake rocker arm (38i)and the exhaust rocker arm (38e)respectively providing a connection between the camshaft (36) and the intake valve (29i)and between the camshaft (36) and the exhaust valve (29e). A fixing bolt (44) that abuts against an end part of the rocker arm shaft (42) so as to restrict movement thereof in the thrust direction is screwed into the cylinder head (5), and a flange seat (44a)that abuts against one side face of the bearing (41) so as to restrict movement thereof in the thrust direction is formed integrally with the fixing bolt (44).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shohei Kono
  • Patent number: 7854215
    Abstract: A valve train for use in an engine is provided. The valve train includes a rocker arm assembly having a valve side arm and a cam side arm. A valve is coupled to the engine and is in contact with the valve side arm. A pushrod is reciprocatable by a camshaft and is in contact with the cam side arm. An overload feature is located on at least one of the rocker arm assembly or the pushrod. The overload feature has a reduced cross-sectional area calibrated to activate at a predefined load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Frederick J. Rozario, James B. Hicks, William C. Albertson, Gary J. Patterson
  • Patent number: 7849828
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly includes a lever body having a first end defining a pivot point, a second end for engagement with a valve train and a central opening extending therethrough. An eccentric bearing is received in the central opening, the eccentric bearing having an eccentric opening therein. The eccentric opening having at least one thrust absorbing key extending radially inward from a surface of the eccentric opening. An eccentric pivot shaft is supported by the eccentric bearing, the eccentric pivot shaft including at least one radially inwardly extending slot located and sized to receive the at least one thrust absorbing key in an assembled position. A first cam follower is disposed on the eccentric bearing and second and third cam followers are each disposed on opposite ends of the eccentric pivot shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Rodney K. Elnick, Ronald Jay Pierik
  • Patent number: 7845323
    Abstract: An internal combustion engine has cylinder head assembly. First and second cams are disposed on a camshaft for rotation therewith. A first cam follower has a first end journaled on a cam follower shaft and a second end abutting an end of a first valve. A second cam follower has a first end journaled on the cam follower shaft and a second end abutting an end of a second valve. A spacer is disposed at least partially around the cam follower shaft. The spacer is disposed between the cam followers such that the first cam follower is disposed between the spacer and a camshaft support and the second cam follower is disposed between the spacer and another camshaft support. A cylinder head assembly, a method of accessing the valves, and embodiments providing for the supply of lubricant to the cam followers are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: BRP-Powertrain GmbH & Co KG
    Inventor: Johann Neuboeck
  • Patent number: 7836860
    Abstract: A rocker arm includes a first end including a substantially horizontal wall having a receptacle formed therein. A second end of the rocker arm is spaced from the first end and includes a substantially horizontal wall for engaging a valve stem. A pair of spaced substantially parallel vertical sidewalls extend between the first end and the second end. In one embodiment, the sidewalls define a width between the first end and the second end that is less than each of the widths of the first and second ends. In another embodiment, a transverse wall extending between the sidewalls is formed in the second end. In yet another embodiment, rocker arm alignment walls are formed in the second end independently of the sidewalls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Charter Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: James R. Edgar
  • Patent number: 7836861
    Abstract: A variable valve mechanism for an internal combustion engine includes a rocker arm, a swing cam, and a transmission member which is interposed between the swing cam and a cam and transmits the displacement of the cam to the swing cam. The rocker arm is provided with a rolling roller member which includes a inner ring, an outer ring, and a plurality of rolling elements accommodated between the inner ring and the outer ring. The outer ring contacts with the swing cam. At least one of a first transmission part, in which the displacement of the cam is transmitted from the cam to the transmission member, and a second transmission part, in which the displacement of the cam is transmitted from the transmission member to the swing cam, includes a sliding roller member, wherein a sliding bearing mechanism is constituted between the sliding roller member and the support part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mikio Tanabe, Hideo Nakai, Satoshi Yoshikawa
  • Patent number: 7823552
    Abstract: A continuous variable valve lift apparatus includes an input cam disposed on an input shaft, a valve opening/closing portion, and a rocker arm rotating shaft. A rocker arm rotates around the rocker arm rotating shaft corresponding to a rotation of the input cam. An output cam is disposed at an end of the rocker arm, and opens and closes the valve opening/closing portion. A control portion controls a position of the rocker arm rotating shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Hyundai Motor Company
    Inventors: Kiyoung Kwon, Young Hong Kwak, Ki Uk Shin, Kyoung Joon Chang, Jin Kook Kong
  • Patent number: 7819102
    Abstract: A lost motion spring is disposed to contact at one end an oscillating member interposed between a cam and a valve for synchronizing the oscillating of the valve with the rotation of the cam. The lost motion spring impels the oscillating member toward the cam. A spring support shaft is provided for supporting a second portion of the lost motion spring. A spring position adjustment mechanism is provided for adjusting the mounting position of the lost motion spring relative to the spring support shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshiyuki Maehara, Shuichi Ezaki
  • Patent number: 7802547
    Abstract: To effectively arrange actuators for control by individually controlling an intake valve and an exhaust valve in an internal combustion engine which includes a variable valve operating device for controlling valve operating characteristics. An internal combustion engine includes a variable valve operating device having a valve characteristic variable mechanism for controlling valve operating characteristics of engine valves consisting of an intake valve and an exhaust valve. The valve characteristic variable mechanism includes electrically operated motors for changing operational timings and lift quantities of the above-mentioned engine valves. The electrically operated motors are arranged outside a valve operating chamber. At the same time, the electrically operated motors are arranged close to the throttle body on a cylinder intake side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yutaka Inomoto, Masahiro Kuroki
  • Patent number: 7798112
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly includes first and second rocker arms defining a pivot location. The first rocker arm includes, toward a first axial end thereof adjacent the pivot location, a fulcrum surface and, toward a second axial end thereof, a latch assembly including a latch member moveable between latched and unlatched conditions relative to a latch surface defined by an adjacent portion of the second rocker arm. The latch assembly further including a spring biasing the latch member toward one of the latched and unlatched conditions, and a pressure chamber operable to bias the latch member toward the other of the latched and unlatched conditions. The first rocker arm further includes a fluid passage having a first end in open fluid communication with the fulcrum surface and a second end in open fluid communication with the pressure chamber of the latch assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Austin R. Zurface, Andrew P. Harman, Kynan L. Church
  • Patent number: 7779804
    Abstract: A rocker arm assembly for a valve train of an internal combustion engine which has a rocker arm that pivots on a support pin about an axis where a push rod contacts one end of the assembly and a valve shaft of a gas exchange valve contacts the other end of the assembly. A rocker arm is mounted on a support pin through a radial roller bearing for handling radial forces. An outer bearing support wall is attached to the rocker am and covers both ends of the support pin. Between the ends of the support pin and the outer bearing wall is a thrust washer for handling axial forces in the rocker arm assembly. The radial bearing assembly can have an outer bearing shell and an inner bearing shell where the outer bearing shell has a generally U-shaped configuration that covers the end wall of the support pin. The bottom wall of the outer bearing shell forms the outer bearing support wall for the thrust washer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Richard Baker, Ross Gresley, Marion Ince
  • Patent number: 7775185
    Abstract: In a lift amount adjusting device in a valve-operating mechanism which changes at least a lift amount, a rocker arm is rockably arranged in a driving-force transmitting path for transmitting a driving force of a valve cam to an engine valve, and a jig abuts on the rocker arm to establish a rocking fulcrum in place of a hydraulic tappet which generates an urging force for adjusting a clearance of the driving-force transmission path. Even when an engine is stopped to make the hydraulic tappet inoperative, the jig secures a rocking fulcrum of the rocker arm, thereby enabling adjustment of the lift amount of the intake valve. Also, a load acting on the rocker arm during the adjustment of a lift amount of the intake valve is supported by the jig, and is not transmitted to the hydraulic tappet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masahiko Tashiro
  • Patent number: 7765971
    Abstract: A valve cover system for covering valves, rocker arms and a cam shaft of an engine includes a mounting plate being mounted to a cylinder head of the engine. The mounting plate has an access aperture extending through a top surface and a bottom surface of the mounting plate. The access aperture permits the valves, the rocker arms and the cam shaft to extend through the mounting plate when the mounting plate is mounted to the cylinder head. A plurality of securing assemblies is coupled to the mounting plate and upwardly extending therefrom. A cover is mounted to the mounting plate to cover the access aperture and inhibits debris from entering the valves, the rocker arms and the cam shaft. A pair of latch assemblies is operationally coupled to the cover. The latch assemblies receive the securing assemblies to secure the cover to the mounting plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventor: Bernard S. Overacker
  • Patent number: 7739990
    Abstract: A rocker arm is mounted to an eccentric shaft. The shaft has a pair of ends which are mounted to corresponding supports. The shaft has a rocker arm seat portion which is eccentric to the end portions, whereby when the position of the shaft is changed by rotating it, the position of the rocker arm changes. The shaft ends are mounted to riser blocks which are connected to a support structure. The shaft ends may be clamped in a fixed position relative to the riser blocks, or unclamped to permit the shaft to be rotated. When rotated, the position of the rocker arm may be changed up or down relative to the support structure and a valve stem which the rocker arm is intended to engage, thereby adjusting valve clearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: T&D Machine Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence S. Tores, Brad Rounds
  • Patent number: 7739991
    Abstract: A rocker cam is comprised of a first split body and a second split body, which are joined with a joint split face that contains an axial line of a cam shaft. The first split body has a first pin support portion that supports one end portion of the connection pin, and the second split body has a second pin support portion that is located so as to face the first pin support portion and supports the other end portion of the connection pin. The connection pin is supported at the first and second pin support portions at its both end portions. Accordingly, a separation force that acts on the first and second split bodies of the rocker cam during its repeated rocking movement can be reduced without improperly increasing its rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Mazda Motor Corporation
    Inventors: Toshimasa Kotani, Hirokazu Matsuura, Shinichi Sugihara
  • Patent number: 7730861
    Abstract: A two-step rocker arm assembly is provided having an arm member and a first roller assembly rotatably mounted with respect to the arm member and defining a generally C-shaped opening. A shaft member rotatably supports a second and a third roller assembly. The shaft member extends through the generally C-shaped opening and is selectively translatable therein to guide the second and third roller assemblies with respect to the arm member. A coupling lever is mounted with respect to the shaft member and is operable to selectively retain the shaft member with respect to the arm member for unitary movement therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventor: Kwok Y. Ng
  • Patent number: 7721695
    Abstract: Connecting element (10) retains cam follower (2), which actuates gas-exchange valve (4) of an internal combustion engine, on support element (6). Support element (6) has spherical end (7) on cylindrical section (22) and on which cam follower (2) is mounted, so as to be pivotably movable in the direction of gas-exchange valve (4) about center of rotation (9). Connecting element (10) has elastically deformable projections (21), which proceed from central webs (19), parallel to the pivot axis of cam follower (2) such that connecting element (10) is connected to cylindrical section (22) in a frictionally-engaging manner. Projections (21) are embodied as lugs (20) which angle away from central webs (19) and extend in a direction pointing away from cam follower (2), so that projections (21) are elastic in shape.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventors: Stephan Moeck, Helmut Engelhardt
  • Patent number: 7712443
    Abstract: The invention relates to a switchable cam follower of a valve train of an internal combustion engine, comprising an outer follower and an inner follower interposed between the lateral walls thereof. A roller extends between arms of the inner follower, float-mounted on a pin, as the counter face for an eccentric disk. The followers are disposed on one end on a common axis. On the distal end, they have elongate seats that, at the base of the cam, are mutually aligned. A coupling element is located in the seat of the outer follower and can be displaced step by step into the seat (here follower surface) of the inner follower. The pin on the inner follower slightly projects over the arms of the inner follower with one projection each. When coupled, upper sides of the projections rest against lower sides of stop surfaces that are mounted on the inner surfaces of the lateral walls of the outer follower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: Schaeffler KG
    Inventor: Stefan Gemein
  • Patent number: 7694659
    Abstract: A rocker arm formed of material in a shape of sheet has a pair of side wall portions, a connection portion for a valve stem receiving portion and a connection portion for a pivot receiving portion which interconnect the side wall portions, and an open portion for arranging a roller which is formed between the two connection portions. A distance between outer side surfaces of the pair of side wall portions in the connection portion for the valve stem receiving portion is reduced in a direction from upper edges to lower edges in a step-like shape having two or more step differences, whereby a first outer side surface and a second outer side surface are formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: JTEKT Corporation
    Inventors: Takaaki Ikeda, Yoshitaka Waseda
  • Patent number: 7677213
    Abstract: A deactivating roller follower assembly for deactivating an associated poppet valve for an internal combustion engine includes a body including a valve end, a pivot end, and a plunger bore. The valve end of the body is configured to contact the associated poppet valve and the pivot end of the body is configured to contact a pivot of the associated internal combustion engine. The assembly further includes a pivotable arm including a hinged end and a free end. The hinged end is rotatably mounted to the valve end of the body. The free end includes a curvilinear engaging surface for transmitting a force required to activate the associated poppet valve. In addition, the assembly includes a plunger including a latching end and a piston end. The plunger is disposed in the plunger bore in the pivot end of the body. The plunger moves between an extended position and a retracted position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Timken US LLC
    Inventor: Matthew J. Deierlein
  • Patent number: 7673605
    Abstract: A rocker arm that is rockably attached to a cylinder head actuates a valve by a guide groove that is formed at an end thereof engaging with an upper end of a valve stem, and a roller that is mounted in a roller housing portion of the arm main unit contacting against a cam and rocking. The guide groove is formed by press working ends of the arm main unit in the thickness direction of the plate material to form a pair of walls, and thereafter applying sandwiching pressure in the lateral direction to the walls to increase the height thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignees: Otics Corporation, Nakanishi Metal Works Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoki Hiramatsu, Akira Takeuchi, Kimihiko Todo, Tomiyasu Hirano, Yoshio Kawatake
  • Patent number: 7673606
    Abstract: A two step rocker assembly is provided having a lever body, a first roller assembly mounted to the lever body, and a center shaft extending through the first roller assembly. A second shaft extends through the lever body and defines a first pivot point. A coupling lever is pivotally connected to the second shaft and has an opening for receiving the center shaft. The coupling lever is rotatable about the first pivot point. A latch pin is mounted to the lever body. A second roller assembly is mounted on the center shaft. A spring lever is pivotally connected to the second shaft and is connected to the center shaft. The spring lever is rotatable about the first pivot point. A spring member is mounted on the lever body and engages the spring lever to bias the spring lever and the center shaft into the first position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations, Inc.
    Inventors: Kwok Y. Ng, Glenn E. Clever, Rodney K. Elnick