Patents Examined by Daniel Bernstein
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Patent number: 9284864Abstract: A switching roller finger follower, including: a housing with a first wall with a first opening, a second wall with a second opening, and an interior space at least partially formed by the walls; first and second outer arms; and a locking pin disposed in the openings and including a longitudinal axis, a body, and first and second protrusions extending radially outward from the body, formed of a same piece of material as the body, and at least one of which is located within the space. A respective portion of at least one of the first or second protrusions is aligned with the first or second wall in a direction parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The locking pin is displaceable such that: in a locked mode, the locking pin blocks pivoting of the arms; and in an unlocked mode, the locking pin is free of contact with the arms.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2014Date of Patent: March 15, 2016Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Debora Manther, Rainer Pfeufer, Matthias Kapp
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Patent number: 9279348Abstract: A mechanically controllable valve drive for a reciprocating piston engine configured to adjust a gas exchange valve includes the gas exchange valve, a cam assembly comprising a camshaft and at least one cam for the gas exchange valve, a valve, a valve lift adjustment assembly, a drag lift assembly, and a device. The valve lift adjustment assembly comprises a valve lift adjustment device, and an intermediate lever assembly comprising at least one intermediate lever comprising a working curve comprising curve portions. The valve lift adjustment assembly is configured to shift the valve between a zero lift and a maximum lift. The drag lever assembly is operatively connected to the working curve. The device is configured to provide a valve-lift standstill range so that, in a maximum lift position, the valve is opened for a turning angle ? of the camshaft with a flattened valve lift height.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2013Date of Patent: March 8, 2016Assignee: KOLBENSCHMIDT PIERBURG INNOVATIONS GMBHInventors: Frederic Lauer, Daniel Hosse, Rudolf Flierl
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Patent number: 9267397Abstract: The invention proposes a subassembly of a hydraulic variable valve train of an internal combustion engine, having a guide bushing (4) that can be installed in a hydraulic housing (3), and having a piston (5) supported therein so as to be axially movable for actuating a gas exchange valve (1), and having a valve element (7) that, together with the end face (10) of the piston distant from the gas exchange valve, defines a hydraulic pressure chamber (11) in the guide bushing, wherein the valve element is a throttle check valve that allows hydraulic medium to flow out of the pressure chamber throttled by a continuously open throttle opening (16) and allows hydraulic medium to flow into the pressure chamber with little throttling by a ball check valve (17). The subassembly is intended to be implemented as a modular unit assembled outside of the hydraulic housing, wherein the guide bushing and the valve element are fastened to one another, and the piston is secured in a captive manner in the guide bushing.Type: GrantFiled: November 17, 2011Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: SCHAEFFLER TECHNOLOGIES AG & CO. KGInventors: Calin Petru Itoafa, Hermann Keller
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Patent number: 9267402Abstract: A multistage variable valve lift apparatus includes: a camshaft; a plurality of cams slidably provided on the camshaft and each including a cam base with a guide projection and a cam lobe; a solenoid unit that includes an operating rod with a guide slot into which the guide projection is selectively inserted; and a valve opening/closing portion that comes into selective contact any one of the plurality of cams.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 23, 2016Assignee: Hyundai Motor CompanyInventors: Soo Hyung Woo, Jong Hyeok Choi, Young Hong Kwak, Byong Young Choi, Jin Kook Kong, Gee Wook Shin
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Patent number: 9260985Abstract: A seat surface of a flat head bolt and a seat surface of a front plate are in contact with each other such that a tightening axial tension acts at an axial tension action point in an axial cross-section. A normal vector is perpendicular to the seat surface of the front plate and passes through the axial tension action point in the axial cross-section. An axial tension reach point is an intersection point between the normal vector and a shoe front surface in the axial cross-section. The normal vector intersects the shoe front surface at the axial tension reach point in the axial cross-section, and the axial tension reach point is included in a range of a shoe part.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2014Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: DENSO CORPORATIONInventor: Takuji Nakamura
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Patent number: 9260983Abstract: A valve control apparatus includes first and second engine valves; a first drive cam configured to rotate integrally with the drive shaft; a second drive cam provided on the drive shaft and configured to rotate integrally with the drive shaft; a swing cam configured to swing; a transmission mechanism configured to convert a rotation of the first drive cam into a swinging force and to transmit the swinging force to the swing cam; a first swing arm configured to open the first engine valve by a swing of the swing cam; a second swing arm configured to open the second engine valve by a rotation of the second drive cam; a control mechanism configured to vary a swing amount of the swing cam by varying an attitude of the transmission mechanism; and a connection changeover mechanism configured to connect and disconnect the first swing arm with/from the second swing arm.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Hitachi Automotive Systems, Ltd.Inventor: Makoto Nakamura
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Patent number: 9255496Abstract: A valve train of an internal combustion engine includes at least one basic camshaft with a cam carrier provided thereupon in a rotationally fixed and axially displaceable manner. The cam carrier has at least one valve-actuating cam as well as a tubular basic element that receives the basic camshaft in at least some sections. At least one cam element of the cam carrier, in particular the valve-actuating cam, is arranged on the basic element. At least one torque-transmitting connecting element is located between the basic element and the cam element. An internal combustion engine having at least one valve train and a method for producing a valve train are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2012Date of Patent: February 9, 2016Assignee: AUDI AGInventor: RĂ¼diger Zeidler
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Patent number: 9249695Abstract: A concentric cam shaft assembly, including: a first camshaft; a second camshaft including at least a portion disposed radially within the first camshaft; and at least one phasing assembly including first and second electric motors and a first input gear arranged to rotate at a first speed in response to receiving rotational torque from a crankshaft of an engine. The rotational torque is arranged to rotate the first and second camshafts. The first electric motor is arranged to circumferentially off-set the first camshaft with respect to the first input gear. The second electric motor is arranged to circumferentially off-set the second camshaft with respect to the first input gear.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2013Date of Patent: February 2, 2016Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Steven Burke, Craig Dupuis, Inhwa Chung, Mike Kohrs, Jens Schaefer
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Patent number: 9243526Abstract: A method for operating an engine is provided. The method comprises adjusting an oil pressure in an oil circuit, the oil circuit including a pump in fluidic communication with a hydraulically adjustable cam follower and switching the hydraulically adjustable cam follower into a connected state to a disconnected in response to the oil pressure adjustment.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2012Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLCInventors: Jan Mehring, Klemens Grieser, Kai Sebastian Kuhlbach, Bernd Steiner
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Patent number: 9228454Abstract: A system for monitoring operation of an internal combustion engine having a rocker arm assembly for actuating an engine valve is disclosed. The rocker arm assembly includes a first arm with a first end, a second arm also having a first end pivotally connected near the first end of the first arm, a latch that when latched secures the first arm relative to the second arm in a latched mode, and when unlatched allows the first arm to move relative to the second arm in an unlatched mode. The system also employing a sensor attached to one of the first and second arms that can detect when the arms are moving relative to each other, and adapted to provide a signal indicating the sensed movement.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2013Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Eaton CoporationInventor: Brian Karl VanDeusen
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Patent number: 9228455Abstract: A marine engine for an outboard motor comprises a bank of piston-cylinders, an intake camshaft that operates intake valves for controlling inflow of air to the bank of piston-cylinders, an exhaust camshaft that operates exhaust valves for controlling outflow of exhaust gas from the bank of piston-cylinders, and a cam phaser disposed on one of the intake camshaft and exhaust camshaft. The cam phaser is connected to and adjusts a timing of operation of the other of the intake camshaft and exhaust camshaft with respect to the one of the intake camshaft and exhaust camshaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Brunswick CorporationInventors: David J. Belter, Ryan E. Mueller
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Patent number: 9222376Abstract: Various systems are provided for a cam follower of a cam follower system. In one embodiment, a cam follower of a cam system comprises a tappet positioned between a cylinder valve and a camshaft, the tappet configured to drive the cylinder valve, a roller, and a pin coated with a diamond-like carbon coating coupling the roller to the tappet, the pin having a depressed contour on an outer surface of the pin.Type: GrantFiled: May 3, 2013Date of Patent: December 29, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Keith Edward Massing, David Robert Furedy
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Patent number: 9206714Abstract: Control valve for a device, in particular for a hydraulic control device, for variably setting the control times of gas exchange valves in internal combustion engines, including a housing component, a control piston and a retaining ring, the control piston being movably mounted, loaded by a spring, on the one hand, and limited with the aid of the retaining ring, on the other hand, the retaining ring projecting over the control piston in the radial direction and being fixable in the axial direction in a recess in the housing component, and a control sleeve and a plastic shell surrounding the control sleeve being provided between the control piston and the housing component, and the retaining ring being axially attachable to the plastic shell in addition to being fixable to the housing component, and limiting the movement of the control piston and/or the control sleeve.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventor: David Koehler
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Patent number: 9206713Abstract: A stator (20) for a camshaft adjuster (4). The stator (20) has an outer part (50) for concentrically holding a rotor (22) with vanes (34) arranged around the rotor (22) and a segment (52) projecting from the outer part (50) for engaging between two vanes (34) of the rotor (22), in order to form, together with the two vanes (22), pressure chambers (44) of the camshaft adjuster (4). Here, the segment (52) has a cavity (70) for holding a hydraulic fluid from the pressure chambers (44).Type: GrantFiled: January 22, 2013Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: Schaeffler Technologies AG & Co. KGInventors: Jens Schafer, Martin Steigerwald, Michael Busse, Jurgen Plate, Andreas Wedel, Olaf Boese, Steffen Racklebe
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Patent number: 9206711Abstract: A lash adjuster includes a body, a plunger inserted into the body and having a bottom wall with a valve hole and a peripheral wall having an oil passage hole, and a partitioning member. The partitioning member is inserted into the plunger and has an oil passage end located above the oil passage hole in an inserted state. The partitioning member has a recess defining an oil passage together with the peripheral wall. The partitioning member defines a low-pressure chamber reserving hydraulic fluid and has, together with the recess, a press-fit portion abutting against an inner periphery of the peripheral wall when the partitioning member is inserted into the plunger. Consequently, the partitioning member has a deformed cross-sectional shape except for a circular shape when cut at a same height as the oil passage hole. The partitioning member has a same cross-sectional shape over its entire height.Type: GrantFiled: February 7, 2014Date of Patent: December 8, 2015Assignee: OTICS CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroki Fujii, Kimihiko Todo
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Patent number: 9200574Abstract: A variable valve timing apparatus including: an actuator housing having a space at the inside thereof; an upper plunger mounted inside the upper portion of the actuator housing to move upward and downward; a lower plunger mounted inside the lower portion of the actuator housing to allow the upper plunger to move upward and downward; an oil chamber allows oil to be circulated upwardly and downwardly or blocks the flow of oil through a head formed on the top end periphery of the upper plunger in accordance with the upward and downward movements of the upper plunger; and a communicating passage allows the upper and lower end portions of the oil chamber to communicate with each other in accordance with upward and downward movements of the lower plunger and to adjust the oil flowing thereon to control the speeds of the upward and downward movements of the upper plunger.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: HYUNDAI HEAVY INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.Inventors: Seho Kim, Dongyeon Kim, Sunghyeok Kim, Hunsuk Kim
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Patent number: 9200541Abstract: Systems and methods for actuating engine valves for positive power and engine braking operation are disclosed. The systems may include a self-lashing hydraulic piston slidably disposed in a fixed or rocker arm housing. The hydraulic piston may have an internal cavity in which a motion absorbing piston is disposed. A hydraulic fluid source may communicate with the hydraulic piston bore. A check valve which may be incorporated in a control valve may controls hydraulic fluid supply from the hydraulic fluid source to the hydraulic piston to provide self-lashing operation of the valve actuation system.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2013Date of Patent: December 1, 2015Assignee: JACOBS VEHICLE SYSTEMS, INC.Inventors: Gabriel Scott Roberts, Justin Damien Baltrucki, Kevin Audibert
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Patent number: 9181821Abstract: Devices and related methods are disclosed that generally involve variable actuation of engine valves. In one embodiment, a valve train for a split-cycle internal combustion engine or an air hybrid split-cycle engine is provided that includes a cam phaser, a dwell cam, an adjustable mechanical element for performing a variable valve actuation function, and/or a valve seating control device. The devices and methods disclosed herein also have application in conventional internal combustion engines and can actuate inwardly-opening and/or outwardly-opening valves.Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2014Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: Scuderi Group, LLCInventors: Riccardo Meldolesi, John Schwoerer, Joseph Paturzo
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Patent number: 9181826Abstract: The present invention provides a variable valve mechanism of an internal combustion engine which includes a main arm that is capable of swinging and that drives a valve when swinging, a first sub arm that is provided on one side in the lateral direction of the main arm and that swings when driven by a first cam, a second sub arm that is provided on the other side in the lateral direction of the main arm and that swings when driven by a second cam, and a switch device that performs switching between a first coupled state where only the first sub arm of the first and second sub arms is coupled to the main arm, and a second coupled state where only the second sub arm of the first and second sub arms is coupled to the main arm.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2013Date of Patent: November 10, 2015Assignee: OTICS CORPORATIONInventors: Akira Sugiura, Koki Yamaguchi, Naoki Hiramatsu, Takayuki Maezako
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Patent number: 9175581Abstract: An axial cam with a plurality of followers mounted within its diameter drives the followers in both axial directions. The followers operatively actuate valves such as those of an internal combustion engine. The cam can be driven about its exterior perimeter, providing an axially compact embodiment. The phasing of select followers can be established by modifying the azimuth positions of those followers with the cam in operation. By providing the cam with a symmetric actuating profile its followers can be linked to alternately actuate same-function valves in different engine cylinders.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2013Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Inventor: Ken Meyer