Patents Examined by Daniel A Bernstein
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Patent number: 8006660Abstract: A device (10) for variably adjusting control times of gas exchange valves (9a, 9b) of an internal combustion engine (1) is provided, having an external rotor (22) and an internal rotor (23) that is arranged such that it can rotate in relation to the external rotor. One of the components is drivingly connected to the crankshaft (2) and the other component is drivingly connected to the camshaft (6, 7). At least one pressure chamber (33) is provided and each of the pressure chambers (33) is divided into two counter-working pressure chambers (35, 36). One of the pressure chambers (35, 36) of each pressure chamber (33) acts as an advance chamber and the other pressure chamber (35, 36) as a trailing chamber. At least two rotation angle limiting devices (42, 43) are provided, each of the rotation angle limiting devices (42, 43) being able to assume an unlocked state and locking state.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2007Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventors: Andreas Strauss, Michael Busse
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Patent number: 8001956Abstract: A cooking apparatus includes a frame with an upper section for holding a pot and a lower section for resting upon an underlying support surface. The frame has a burner element that can be a nozzle tube having a commercially available burner nozzle for generating a cooking flame during use. The nozzle can be fueled with propane, butane or the like using a commercially available tank, regulator and supply hose. The frame can include an upper ring, lower rings, the upper ring providing legs, pot support bars or members for holding the bottom of a pot. A heat shield is comprised of multiple specially configured sections that overlap and connect to the frame. The shield is positioned below the flame during use to lessen heat transfer from the flame to the underlying support surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Inventors: Barbara Bourgeois, Norman Bourgeois, Michael Bourgeois
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Patent number: 8001937Abstract: An oil gallery for a variable valve timing apparatus of a cylinder head includes an advance oil supply passage that fluidly connects an oil control valve hole and a variable valve timing journal, a retard oil supply passage that fluidly connects the oil control valve hole and the variable valve timing journal, and an oil chamber in at least one of the oil supply passages. The oil chamber may have a slanted ceiling that may slant upward toward an outlet opening of the oil chamber. The uppermost point of the ceiling may be positioned at the oil outlet. The lowermost point of the outlet opening may be above the bottom surface of the oil chamber.Type: GrantFiled: April 17, 2008Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Bong Sang Lee
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Patent number: 7997242Abstract: A spring retainer can reduce the set height and mass of a coil spring. The spring retainer has a retainer body attached to a stem end of a valve and a circumferential plate-like spring part having an inner circumferential part supported by the retainer body and resiliently supporting an end of the valve spring. A spring constant of the plate-like spring part is made higher than a spring constant of the valve spring, so that the plate-like spring part deflects after the valve spring is compressed, to provide a two-step load characteristic and reduce the set height, compressed height, and mass of the valve spring. It can also reduce the height and mass of the spring retainer. A spring system formed by combining the spring retainer and valve spring with each other will be compact and lightweight.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.Inventors: Noritoshi Takamura, Hironobu Imaizumi
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Patent number: 7992531Abstract: Heat generation is not caused by friction in a phase varying apparatus for use with a vehicle engine. A phase varying apparatus for use with a vehicle engine varies the opening/closing timing of an intake valve or an exhaust valve. The phase varying apparatus includes a rotary drum (44A) screwed to an intermediate member (30); an electromagnetic clutch (42) including a plurality of magnets (80) that are fixedly arranged at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the rotary drum and that are magnetized alternately in opposite directions and a coil wound around an iron core (60); and ferromagnetic-material-made magnetic flux induction members (82, 84) having a plurality of claws (82B, 84B) close to magnetic poles of a magnet, having a slight gap between the iron core and the magnetic flux induction member, and forming a magnetic path (85) made up of the iron core and the magnets. The magnetic flux induction member is fixed to an outer cylinder part (10) or to an inner cylinder part (20).Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2006Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Nittan Value Co., Ltd.Inventors: Koichi Homma, Minoru Shiino, Naoya Ishihara
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Patent number: 7987826Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a low lift cam, a high lift cam in parallel with the low lift cam, a low lift tappet body that selectively contacts the low lift cam, a high lift tappet body disposed within the low lift tappet body and constantly contacting the high lift cam, a guide portion that is connected with a valve and selectively connects the low lift tappet body and the high lift tappet body, and a lost motion spring that is disposed between the guide portion and the low lift tappet body and supplies restoring force to the low lift tappet body.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Young Hong Kwak, Kiyoung Kwon, Ki Uk Shin, Jin Kook Kong
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Patent number: 7987825Abstract: A variable valve lift apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an outer body connected with a valve for opening and closing the valve, an inner body that is reciprocally disposed within the outer body and contacts a first input cam configured to an input shaft, a lost motion spring disposed between the outer body and the inner body, a connecting portion selectively connecting the outer body and the inner body, a hydraulic pressure supplying portion supplying hydraulic pressure to the connecting portion, and a lubrication circuit supplying lubricant to a contacting portion of the first input cam and the inner body.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventor: Yun Sung Hwang
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Patent number: 7980209Abstract: An internal combustion engine includes an electromagnetic valve actuator having an armature between upper and lower electromagnets with a stem extending through one electromagnet and guided by a bushing with increased clearance about at least a portion of the inner circumference in at least a middle portion of the bushing to reduce oil shear length and associated viscous friction in the actuator. A two-piece intake/exhaust valve guide includes a lower half with a stepped outer diameter cooperating with a counter-bored hole in the cylinder head to provide a positive stop. The upper and lower halves of the valve guide have increased clearance relative to the valve stem around at least a portion of the inner circumference to reduce oil shear length and associated viscous friction. Reducing viscous friction of the actuator and associated valve guide improves system robustness by decreasing the system sensitivity to temperature.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2008Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Philip Thomas Koneda, Thomas William Megli, Yan Wang, Neal James Corey
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Patent number: 7966983Abstract: A camshaft may include a first shaft, a first lobe member, and a second lobe member. The first shaft may include an annular wall defining a first bore. The wall may include a first portion having a first radial outer surface and a second portion having a second radial outer surface that is radially offset relative to the first radial outer surface. The first lobe member may define a second bore having the first portion of the first shaft located therein and frictionally engaged with the first shaft for rotation with the first shaft. The second lobe member may define a third bore having the second portion of the first shaft located therein. The second lobe member may be rotatably disposed on the second portion of the first shaft.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Glenn E. Clever, Frederick J. Rozario, Shekhar G. Wakade, Joseph E. Robbins
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Patent number: 7963764Abstract: A lance for a hybrid burner of a combustor of a gas turbine, includes an inner passage for a liquid fuel, an outer passage coaxially enclosing the inner passage for a gaseous fuel, a plurality of star like arranged outer nozzles branching off radially from the outer passage, a plurality of inner nozzles, which branch off radially from the inner passage and which each extend coaxially inside one of the outer nozzles, and a distributor section, which is arranged upstream of the outer nozzles in the outer passage and has a plurality of star like arranged, coaxially extending through-openings for the gaseous fuel. In order to reduce the flow resistance in the gas path of the lance, the through-openings each have an opening width which is larger in the circumferential direction than in the radial direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Alstom Technology LtdInventors: Andreas Brautsch, Hanspeter Hardegger, Daniel Burri, Bettina Paikert
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Patent number: 7958859Abstract: A camshaft assembly is disclosed which comprises an inner shaft, an outer tube surrounding and rotatable relative to the inner shaft, and two groups of cam lobes mounted on the outer tube, the first group of cam lobes being fast in rotation with the outer tube, the second group being rotatably mounted on the outer surface of the tube and connected for rotation with the inner shaft. The connection between the second group of cam lobes and the inner shaft is effected by means of driving members whose positions are adjustable in order to compensate for significant manufacturing inaccuracies between the inner shaft and its associated group of cam lobes.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Mechadyne PLCInventors: Ian Methley, Richard Alwyn Owen, Nicholas James Lawrence, Timothy Mark Lancefield
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Patent number: 7950360Abstract: A continuous variable valve lift apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes an input cam disposed to an input shaft, a first shaft in parallel with the input shaft, a first link connected with the first shaft, a second link rotatably connected to the first link, an output cam that is rotatably connected with the second link and configured with a contact portion contacting the input cam, a second shaft disposed to the output cam parallel with the input shaft, at least one valve unit that is opened and closed by the output cam, and a control part that controls a position of the second shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Young Hong Kwak, Kiyoung Kwon, Jin Kook Kong, Kyoung Joon Chang
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Patent number: 7950359Abstract: A variable valve system includes a variable valve lifter for changing a first lift amount of one or more valves at a predetermined engine speed; a variable valve timing portion for controlling opening and closing timing of one or more valves; and a cylinder deactivation portion that changes a second lift amount of two or more valves in an alternating pattern.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors CorporationInventor: Myungsik Choi
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Patent number: 7946261Abstract: An electromagnetic actuator including an actuating member associated with an armature and able to move between two extreme positions under the action of an elastic member and two electromagnets that attract the armature to one of the extreme positions, where the electromagnets each include a coil, a core for channeling a flux of the coil so that it forms a return path in the armature, and permanent magnets associated with the core so that the latter channels a flux of the permanent magnets so that it forms a return path in the armature, where the permanent magnets of one of the electromagnets exert a force on the armature sufficient to retain the armature in the associated extreme position against the springs, and where the permanent magnets of the other electromagnet exerts a force on the armature insufficient to retain the armature in the associated extreme position against the springs.Type: GrantFiled: November 30, 2006Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Valeo Systemes de Controle MoteurInventors: Mahmoud Sfaxi, Emmanuel Talon
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Patent number: 7934479Abstract: A camshaft adjuster (10) for an internal combustion engine which includes a locking mechanism is provided. At least one locking element (21, 22) which can be locked in the zone of a central position (20) as well as at least one additional locking element (23, 24) that can be locked in the zone of a retarded end position (19) or an advanced end position (20) are provided such that the internal combustion engine can be selectively started from an end position (19, 20) or the central position.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Andreas Strauss
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Patent number: 7934477Abstract: An engine assembly may include an engine structure, a rocker arm assembly supported by the engine structure, a camshaft rotatably supported on the engine structure and engaged with the rocker arm assembly, and a valve member engaged with the rocker arm assembly. The rocker arm assembly may include a lever body having a first end engaged with the valve member and a second end defining a pivot point and having an opening therethrough, an arm assembly including a first end rotatably coupled to the first end of the lever body and a second end including a latch, and a locking mechanism located within the opening in the lever body and including a latch pin having a recess therein and a guide holder including a finger extending into the recess preventing rotation of the latch pin relative to the guide holder.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2008Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLCInventors: Rodney K. Elnick, Michael Smith
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Patent number: 7926455Abstract: The finger follower has an inner and outer body and a torsional lost motion spring positioned at its lash adjuster end of the outer body. The torsional lost motion springs have a short leg that abuts the outer body and a long leg that contacts the inner body. The torsional spring is located above the pivot point of the finger follower so as to provide a low mass moment of inertia and to reduce the weight over the valve stem end of the follower.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2008Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Schaeffler KGInventors: Debora Manther, Yunshan Liu, Anna Strehlau, Richard Best, Xiaopo Ma
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Patent number: 7922482Abstract: The present invention relates to melting plate candles that employ heat conductive materials to distribute heat from a burning flame at a wick to a plate for melting a meltable fuel. Such melting plate candles more rapidly liquefy the meltable fuel, such as paraffin wax. Further, such melting plate candles more uniformly and intensely heat the meltable fuel thereby increasing the efficiency of consumption thereof and more rapidly releasing volatile materials contained within the fuel. The heat conductive plate is configured so as to have a capillary recess or a capillary pedestal upon the surface thereof, which cooperatively engages a wick holder assembly comprising a wick and a heat conductive fin that conducts heat from a flame upon the wick to the plate. The wick holder further engages the fuel and the plate so as to cause the flow of liquefied fuel to the wick.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2006Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc.Inventors: Chris A. Kubicek, Paul E. Furner, Mary Beth Adams
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Patent number: 7921821Abstract: A switchable finger lever (1) of a valve train of an internal combustion engine, said finger lever (1) comprising an outer lever (2) between whose arms (3) an inner lever (4) extends, a support (9) for at least one gas exchange valve being arranged on one end (7), said inner and outer levers (4, 2) extending on a common axle (10) in the region of said one end (7), said finger lever (1) further comprising a lost motion spring means (11) acting between said inner and outer levers (4, 2), said outer lever (2) possessing on the undersurface (8) on another end (12), a contact surface (13) for a support element, a coupling element (14) is arranged above or laterally of said contact surface (13), which coupling element (14), for realizing coupling, can be brought partially into engagement with an entraining surface (15) of an adjoining crossbar (16) of the inner lever (4), wherein the inner lever (4), starting from its crossbar (16) on the another end (12), merges into a box-like open center portion (17) having twoType: GrantFiled: June 18, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Schaeffler KGInventors: Bodo Rörig, Joachim Seitz
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Patent number: 7921820Abstract: A valve timing control apparatus includes a driving rotation member, a driven rotation member, an advance angle chamber displacing a rotation phase of the driven rotation member relative to the driving rotation member in an advance angle direction, a retard angle chamber displacing the relative rotation phase in a retard angle direction, a groove provided on at least one of an inner surface of the driving rotation member and an outer surface of the driven rotation member for supplying the hydraulic fluid to a sliding contact portion formed by the inner surface of the driving rotation member and the outer surface of the driven rotation member, an advance angle oil passage, a retard angle oil passage, and a groove oil passage for supplying the hydraulic fluid to the groove.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Ichiro Kimura, Yoshiyuki Kawai