Patents Examined by Ching Chang
  • Patent number: 10309273
    Abstract: A variable valve duration/variable valve lift system may include a camshaft, a first cam portion including a first cam, into which the camshaft is inserted and of which a relative phase angle of the first cam with respect to the camshaft is variable, an inner bracket transmitting rotation of the camshaft to the first cam portion, a slider housing into which the inner bracket is rotatably inserted, a first rocker arm having a first end contacting the first cam, a rocker shaft to which the first rocker arm is rotatably connected, a solenoid valve configured to selectively supply hydraulic pressure, a position controller configured to selectively change a position of the slider housing, a first bridge connected to a second end of the first rocker arm and to which a first valve is connected, and a valve lift disposed within the first bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventor: Kyung Mo Kim
  • Patent number: 10301979
    Abstract: The invention provides a hydraulic lash adjuster equipped with a cost effective dropout preventing mechanism for preventing a plunger from dropping out of a housing. The lash adjuster comprises: a cylindrical bottomed housing (3), a plunger (2), housed inside the housing (3), having an outer periphery in contact with the inner periphery of the housing (3), and a dropout preventing mechanism (14). The dropout preventing mechanism (14) comprises a first groove (11) formed in the inner circumferential periphery of the housing (3) and a second groove (12) formed in the outer circumferential periphery of the plunger (2) in opposition to the first groove (11), and a flexible linear member 4 disposed in the first and the second grooves (11) and (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: NITTAN VALVE CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yukio Kubota
  • Patent number: 10302024
    Abstract: An oil control valve system according to one example of the present disclosure incorporates a common or interchangeable oil control valve at distinct locations of an engine to direct operation of switching mechanisms over sets of three cylinders. In another aspect of the present disclosure, four interchangeable oil control valves are used in a six-cylinder engine. Utilizing interchangeable oil control valves minimizes design costs, reduces assembly time, lessens repair or replacement burdens, and allows for enhanced engine performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Inventor: Austin Robert Zurface
  • Patent number: 10294832
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a variable camshaft adjuster (VVT) for an internal combustion engine with a VVT component, preferably a locking disc, composed of material produced from powder metal with a locking bore, which extends from a first surface of the VVT component, preferably the locking disc, into this, wherein a locking bolt of a variable valve control engages into the locking bore and the locking bore has a connected oil duct which also extends from the first surface into the VVT component and discharges radially into the locking bore, wherein a base of the locking bore has an elevation, preferably in the form of an elevated shoulder which serves as a bearing surface of the locking bolt and the oil duct has a depth which is smaller than that of the locking bore. A VVT component, in particular a locking disc as well as a method for producing the locking disc or the camshaft adjuster are furthermore claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: GKN Sinter Metals Engineering GmbH
    Inventor: Frowin Scheiner
  • Patent number: 10287930
    Abstract: This invention provides a novel lightweight rocker arm frame and a forming process of a curved crown part thereof, including two sidewalls and two bottom plates. The two sidewalls are connected through the bottom plates respectively located at two ends. A ball socket protruded upwards and an oil hole are arranged at a bottom plate at one end, and a bottom surface of a bottom plate at the other end is a bearing surface. A pin shaft hole is formed in the middle of each sidewall without the bottom plates. According to the rocker arm frame disclosed by the invention, the strength of the structure can be ensured while light weight is realized. The production efficiency of the rocker arm frame is effectively improved, and the structure of the valve rod supporting position is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Hangzhou XZB Tech Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Na Xu, Haijun Ren
  • Patent number: 10287932
    Abstract: A camshaft assembly for an internal combustion engine is provided. The camshaft assembly includes a first gear; a second gear; a hydraulically driven phasing assembly configured for varying the relative phasing of the second gear with respect to the first gear; and an idler shaft supporting the first gear. A method of constructing a camshaft assembly for an internal combustion engine is also provided. The method includes fixing a first gear and a second gear together via a hydraulically driven phasing assembly configured for varying the relative phasing of the second gear with respect to the first gear; and providing the first gear on an idler shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Dipan Patel
  • Patent number: 10280846
    Abstract: A valve opening and closing timing control device includes: a driving-side rotating body synchronously rotated with a crankshaft of an engine and having a lid member fixed in a direction of the rotational axis; a driven-side rotating body integrally rotated with a camshaft for opening and closing a valve on the same rotational axis; a lock mechanism having a lock member moving in the direction and a lock recessed portion formed inside the lid member and into which the lock member is able to be fitted; and a torsion spring disposed outside the lid member and exerting a biasing force to the driving-side and driven-side rotating bodies, wherein a restricting projection portion for restricting a movement of the torsion spring in the direction is formed in the lid member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Toru Sakakibara, Yuji Noguchi, Takeo Asahi, Hiroyuki Hamasaki, Tomohiro Kajita, Hideyuki Suganuma
  • Patent number: 10280811
    Abstract: A valve train system that eliminates the inefficiencies of current spring biased systems. The system uses teeter beams that are manipulated by cams that are driven by cam shafts to control and operate the valve system more efficiently and dependably.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Inventor: Steve James Duel
  • Patent number: 10280817
    Abstract: In a variable valve mechanism, during switching from a disconnected state to a connected state, the switch arm being displaced in a return direction comes in sliding contact with a pin end surface of the switch pin, and presses the pin end surface toward the disconnected position to push back the switch pin. At a sliding contact start time, the switch arm sliding contacts a portion of the pin end surface on a return direction side with respect to an idle-swing-side edge. At least during a period from a 10% position time to a sliding contact end time, a position of a pressed center relative to the pin end surface shifts toward the return direction side without stopping as the switch arm is displaced toward the return direction relative to a main arm, so that the sliding contact ends without stopping of the pressed center at a return-side edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: OTICS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayuki Maezako, Akira Sugiura
  • Patent number: 10280812
    Abstract: A cylinder head for a marine engine has an axially elongated camshaft, cam lobes that are axially spaced apart from each other along the camshaft, and valves that control one of a flow of intake air for combustion in the marine engine or a flow of exhaust gas from the marine engine. The cam lobes actuate the valves upon rotation of the camshaft. Each cam lobe comprises first and second cam lobe sections that are axially spaced apart from each other along the camshaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Brunswick Corporation
    Inventors: Bo K. Kim, Philip R. Walker, Travis R. Schmeling
  • Patent number: 10273836
    Abstract: A valve opening/closing timing control apparatus includes: a driving side rotator configured to rotate synchronously with a crankshaft of an internal combustion engine; a driven side rotator disposed coaxially with a rotation axis of the driving side rotator and configured to rotate integrally with a valve opening/closing camshaft; a connecting bolt disposed coaxially with the rotation axis to connect the driven side rotator to the camshaft, and having an advanced angle port and a retarded angle port formed to extend from an outer peripheral surface to an inner space thereof, the advanced angle port and the retarded angle port communicating with an advanced angle chamber and a retarded angle chamber between the driving side rotator and the driven side rotator, respectively; and a valve unit disposed in the inner space of the connecting bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: AISIN SEIKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takeo Asahi, Yuji Noguchi, Tomohiro Kajita, Hideyuki Suganuma, Hiroyuki Hamasaki, Hideomi Iyanaga, Toru Sakakibara
  • Patent number: 10267167
    Abstract: Disclosed is a blade element of a turbomachine, in particular of a gas turbine, which comprises a fastening element (10) with which the blade element is arranged in a receptacle (11) of the turbomachine. in the region of the fastening element, the blade element has a core region (18) and an envelope region (19) which at least partially envelops the core region. The core region is formed from a blade base material which is more brittle than the envelope material of the envelope region, and the envelope region is formed by a coating. The envelope material is a blade base material which has been modified to achieve a higher ductility or is a pseudoelastic or superelastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: MTU Aero Engines AG
    Inventors: Erich Steinhardt, Wilfried Smarsly, André Werner
  • Patent number: 10267189
    Abstract: A variable valve actuation device includes a plurality of valve lifter. Each valve lifter slidable in a lifter support hole between an upper position and a lower position. A valve rest recess communicating with a valve rest chamber opens out at an outer circumferential surface of the valve lifter, and a valve rest supply port of a valve rest passage opens out at an inner circumferential surface of the lifter support hole in such a positional relationship that the valve rest passage and the valve rest chamber communicate with each other when the valve lifter is at the upper position, and continue to communicate with each other until the valve lifter has moved downward to a shut-off position located at a prescribed part of a down stroke from the upper position. The communication between the valve rest passage and the valve rest chamber shut off at the shut-off position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kaori Takehana, Yukio Konishi, Chikara Tanaka
  • Patent number: 10260382
    Abstract: A valve bridge assembly includes a valve bridge; a first cavity formed towards a first end portion of the valve bridge; and a hydraulic lash adjuster (HLA) disposed within the first cavity for engaging a first valve stem. The HLA includes a first contact surface for engaging the first valve stem. The first contact surface is curved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LIMITED
    Inventor: Majo Cecur
  • Patent number: 10260383
    Abstract: A control valve for a camshaft adjuster having a valve housing (3) and having a control piston (4) which is guided axially movably in a receptacle of the valve housing (3), and having a check valve (2) which is arranged within the piston cavity (22) and consists of a spring band (23) with overlapping ends which is wound to form a cylindrical valve spring, wherein the spring band (23), at the inner end (24) thereof, merges into an axially extending spacer element (28), the axial ends (29, 30) of which may be brought into contact with the inner side of the end surfaces of the control piston (4) is provided. The spacer element (28) has a uniform surface which is interrupted in an axial section of the spacer element (28) by way of an elevation (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Mihaly Kovacs
  • Patent number: 10247056
    Abstract: A camshaft adjusting device including —a vane cell adjuster and —a central locking device (26) for locking the rotor (17) with respect to the stator (16), wherein —at least one first valve functional pin (46) is provided in the rotor hub (30), and the working chambers (20, 21, 22, 23) with different directions of action can be fluidically connected to one another via said valve functional pin, —in a first switch position, the first valve functional pin (46) fluidically connects at least two first working chambers (20, 21) with different directions of action to each other via a non-return valve (9, 10) during a movement from the direction “early” or “late” into the central locking position, —in a second switch position, the first valve function pin (46) fluidically separates the at least two first working chambers (20, 21) with different directions of action, —a bridging line (50) is provided for a fluid-free connection of the two first working chambers (20, 21), and —the bridging line (50) can be switched by
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KG
    Inventor: Torsten Zschieschang
  • Patent number: 10247054
    Abstract: An electromagnetic adjusting device having a first, second and third plug contacts for operating the adjusting device on an operating voltage source having a first and second voltage pole. The device can include an actuator coupled to the plug contacts. The actuator can have a magnet coil with a first terminal connected to the first plug contact, a second terminal connected to the second plug contact, where either the first or the second plug contact is connected to the first voltage pole. The magnet coil can also have a first transistor with a first control electrode connecting the first terminal to the third plug contact, a second transistor having a second control electrode connecting the second terminal to the third plug contact, a first resistor connecting the first control electrode to the second plug contact and a second resistor connecting the second control electrode to the first plug contact.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: Kendrion (Villingen) GmbH
    Inventors: Tsuneo Suzuki, Harald Burkart, Wolfram Maiwald
  • Patent number: 10240495
    Abstract: A rocker arm for engaging a cam in a valve actuation arrangement includes a latch pin assembly having includes a latch pin, retainer, and biasing mechanism. The latch pin has a pin body with a head and a tail at the second end; the body defining an open volume; the tail having an open mouth in communication with the open volume of the body; and the open volume having a non-circular cross-section. The retainer has a male engagement portion and an outer portion. The male engagement portion is within the open volume of the body through the open mouth. The male engagement portion has a non-circular cross section. The outer portion is non-removably secured to an outer arm of the rocker arm. The biasing mechanism is oriented in the open volume of the body and between and against the latch pin and the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Andrei Dan Radulescu
  • Patent number: 10240490
    Abstract: A rocker arm comprising a supply path that communicates with a first lash bore and a first spool bore. A spool is in the spool bore. A hydraulic lash device is in the first lash bore, wherein an outer body is configured to collapse during a first valve lift profile when receiving a low pressure fluid, and wherein the outer body and the inner body are configured to cooperate rigidly when receiving a high pressure fluid during a second valve lift profile. The spool is movable to a first spool position to align the spool notch with a first spool path and a second spool path, and the spool is movable to a second spool position to align the spool notch with the second spool path and an accumulator path. The supply path in to the rocker arm is the only source of fluid to the spool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventor: Douglas J Nielsen
  • Patent number: 10233848
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an internal combustion engine, which is capable of, when controlling a variable intake cam phase mechanism and a variable exhaust cam phase mechanism, ensuring a stable combustion of a mixture and improving the drivability, even when one of the two is in a failure state. The control apparatus includes an ECU. The ECU calculates an intake cam phase and an exhaust cam phase, determines, based on the calculated intake cam phase and exhaust cam phase, whether or not there has occurred a failure state of one of the mechanisms, in which the valve overlap period becomes longer than during a normal time, and controls, when it is determined that there has occurred the failure state of the one mechanism, the other mechanism such that the valve overlap period becomes shorter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yosuke Kosaka, Masaki Ueno, Eri Itou, Yuto Katori