Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and device for optimizing the air-fuel mixture burn rates of an internal combustion engine in accordance with detonation limited control parameters during low speed, light and heavy load operating conditions. In particular, the present invention is preferably used with an engine having variable valve events that provide for a low speed, small valve event, and for earlier than normal intake valve closing. The method and device herein including phasing control of the operation of the camshaft of the engine with the operation of the crankshaft of the engine. The invention herein also including sensing of engine load and detonation. The phasing is controlled by a servo motor in response to signals produced from the sensing of load demand and/or detonation.

Abstract: Intake valve throttling is employed to limit the lift or opening of an intake valve to a relatively small opening during light engine loads. A generally cylindrical shroud projects into the combustion chamber, the shroud having a gap facing in the direction of the spark plug, so that a desired amount of stratification of the incoming charge is achieved during light engine loads. Opening and closing of the exhaust valve are correlated with the actuation of the intake valve in order to obtain certain results, including better combustion with a concomitant decrease in the amount of pollution.

Abstract: The operating mechanism for opening and closing the valve of an internal combustion engine includes a single generally L-shaped rocker arm having a vertical leg formed with a cam follower surface that is engaged by a cam unit mounted on the engine's camshaft. The rocker arm also includes a horizontal leg having an adjustable eccentric device carried at its free end that is engageable with the upper end of the valve member for determining the amount of valve lash. The rocker arm is mounted on a shiftable axis provided by a lever arm, one end of the lever arm being pivotal about a fixed axis. The vertical leg of the rocker arm is raised and lowered so as to present various follower portions on the vertical leg to the cam unit as it rotates. The cam unit includes a pair of flanking cams, both of which may have identical profiles or profiles that differ from each other in order to achieve desired valve opening and closing patterns.

Abstract: A cam unit comprised of at least two side-by-side cams acts against a follower rocker arm that operates either an intake or exhaust valve of an internal combustion engine. One cam is formed with sloping take-up ramp portions connecting with a lobe portion. The side-by-side cam (or cams) has a base circle portion that increases in diameter to form sloping take-up ramp portions connecting with an eccentric portion slightly larger in radius than the base circle portion. The lobe portion on the one cam projects a radial distance considerably greater than the eccentric portion (or portions). Different working surfaces on the follower arm are thus engaged by the cams to reduce erosion.

Abstract: The valve operating mechanism includes an L-shaped rocker arm having a cam follower surface on one leg composed of a straight section and a curved section acted upon by a cam on a rotatable camshaft. The other leg of the L-shaped rocker arm contacts a valve member to open the valve member, overcoming the spring closing force to do so. A lever arm has one end mounted for pivotal movement about a shaft providing a fixed axis, a pin carried by said lever arm intermediate said one end and the other end thereof providing a shiftable axis. A base circle feature is included by means of a pair of curved edges adjacent opposite sides of said straight section. The curved section provides an increased amount of valve opening, the curved section curving sufficiently to provide a semi-desmodromic valve operation desirable during maximum valve lift at high engine speeds.

Abstract: A pivotal air door or velocity blade provides a carburetor and injection action which transitionally changes back and forth in accordance with the door's angular position. The angular position of the air door or velocity blade is controlled by the movement of an upper rocker arm relative to a lower rocker arm. A cam unit acts on a contoured follower surface on the upper rocker arm, and the free end of the upper rocker arm acts against a contoured follower surface on the lower rocker arm, the lower rocker arm in turn acting on the inlet valve of an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The variable valve operating mechanism comprises lower and upper rocker arms. The lower rocker arm is mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis and the upper rocker arm is mounted for pivotal movement about a shiftable axis. The free end of the lower rocker arm engages the valve to be actuated and the free end of the upper rocker arm engages various portions of the first rocker arm when the shiftable axis is spaced relatively far from the fixed axis. When the shiftable axis is moved toward the fixed axis, the valve lift starts to increase. By means of a curved cam surface, the duration or time that the valve remains open can be controlled. Provision is made for lubricating parts of the mechanism and provision is also made for adjusting certain parts of the mechanism so as to provide a specified amount of valve lash.

Abstract: In a specific embodiment a cam unit comprised of three differently profiled cams acts on follower portions or working surfaces on a shiftable first rocker arm to cause a second rocker arm to open and close a valve associated with the combustion chamber or cylinder of an internal combustion engine in accordance with the cam profiles and the contours of the follower surfaces to (1) maintain the valve completely closed, such as during engine deceleration, (2) vary the valve duration and produce a lesser valve lift to effect an engine throttling mode of operation, and (3) vary the valve duration and produce a greater valve lift for a higher engine performance.

Abstract: A rotatable cam and pivotally mounted rocker arm are employed for each valve of an internal combustion engine. The rocker arm has a working or cam follower surface thereon which includes a straight section and a curved section. By relatively moving the cam and rocker arm so that the cam acts against appropriate portions of the cam follower surface, the moment of valve opening and closing is controlled, as well as the lift and duration of valve opening. The invention makes possible what is herein termed a five-cycle operation in that the following sequence can be achieved: (1) intake, (2) decompression, (3) compression, (4) power, and (5) exhaust.

Abstract: The valve operating apparatus includes an upper and lower rocker arm for each valve to be controlled, each having a straight section and a curved section. The lower rocker arm is mounted at one end for pivotal movement about a fixed axis, its other end acting against the valve to be controlled. The upper rocker arm is mounted at one end for pivotal movement about a shiftable or movable axis. Depending on where the upper rocker arm has been shifted to in relation to the camshaft and concomitantly where the upper arm has been shifted in relation to the lower arm the lift and duration of valve opening is controlled. A timing mechanism is actuated by the valve operating apparatus so as to angularly displace the camshaft on which the above alluded to cam is mounted in a direction to advance or retard the valve opening and closing with respect to the crankshaft and hence in relation to the piston movement produced by the crankshaft.

Abstract: The variable valve operating mechanism comprises lower and upper rocker arms, each having a straight section and a curved cam section. The lower rocker arm is mounted for pivotal movement about a fixed axis and the upper rocker arm is mounted for pivotal movement about a shiftable axis. The free end of the lower rocker arm engages the valve to be actuated and the free end of the upper rocker arm engages the straight section of the first rocker arm when the shiftable axis is spaced relatively far from the fixed axis. When the shiftable axis is moved toward the fixed axis, the valve lift starts to increase. Continued movement, however, causes the engine's cam to engage the curved cam section of the upper rocker arm to lengthen the duration or time that the valve is open. In this way, valve lift and the duration of time that the valve remains open can be controlled in accordance with certain engine operating conditions.